HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Parliament’s Education Service

Simon Hart: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many schools from (a) Carmarthenshire and (b) Pembrokeshire visited the Palace of Westminster through the Parliamentary Education Service in each year since 2009.

John Thurso: The number of schools from Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire visiting the Palace of Westminster through Parliament's Education Service in each year since 2009 is as follows:
	
		
			  Carmarthenshire Pembrokeshire 
			 2009 5 1 
			 2010 1 1 
			 2011 (to date) 1 1 
			 2011 (future bookings) 4 1 
		
	
	The total number of students visiting the Palace of Westminster on these visits (including future bookings for 2011) is 513.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Departmental Billing

Gordon Banks: To ask the Attorney-General how many invoices the Law Officers' Departments received in respect of goods or services supplied by tier 1 suppliers between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011; and how many of those invoices were not paid within the period of time specified in the Government's Fair Payment guidance.

Dominic Grieve: The Treasury Solicitor's Department (TSol) does not keep separate records for payment performance related to construction industry suppliers, and such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The total number of invoices received from all “tier 1 suppliers” (ie organisations supplying goods or services directly to the Department) from 1 May 2010 to 31 March 2011 was 34,692. The Department paid 87% in 30 days.
	TSol data includes procurement for the Attorney-General's Office and the HM Crown Prosecution Services Inspectorate.
	The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has a limited requirement for construction services and between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011 has not undertaken a project requiring a “Fair Payment Charter”, Subsequently no invoices have been received for payment for such services. It is not possible separately to identify invoices that may involve a Tier 1 supplier without incurring disproportionate cost but during the period in question the CPS processed a total of 229,088 payments to suppliers and service providers, 85% of which were paid within 30 days.
	The SFO does not have any contracts that fall within the terms of the Fair Payment guidance and the majority of their suppliers do not sub contract the work to others. It is not possible to separately identify which invoices may involve a Tier 1 supplier without incurring disproportionate cost. During the period in question, the SFO processed a total of 7,126 payments to general suppliers and service providers, 93% of which were paid within 30 days.

EDUCATION

Children: Day Care

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his Department's policy is on providing support for childcare costs for parents aged under 20 to allow them to undertake (a) full or (b) part-time study.

Nick Gibb: In 2011/12 the Care to Learn scheme will provide assistance for child care and related transport costs to enable young parents under 20 with responsibility for caring for their child to attend education or training. The scheme provides support of up to £160 a week (£175 in London). Child care costs are paid direct to the provider of child care.
	The Department for Education (DfE) is committed to continuing the Care to Learn scheme for young parents. Learner support for young people aged 19 and over at the start of their course is generally provided by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and officials from the two Departments are working together to consider how best to support parents aged 19 and over beyond the 2011/12 academic year.

Secondary Education: Kingston upon Thames

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to determine the capital allocation for a new secondary school in North Kingston for the period from 2012-13 to 2014-15.

Nick Gibb: In December, the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), informed every relevant local authority of its full share of DfE capital funding for 2011-12. The Department has not retained any reserves for responding to individual applications from schools or local authorities.
	It is the responsibility of each local authority to manage the supply for primary and secondary school places in their area and ensure there are sufficient schools to meet the local need. The Department will continue to provide capital funding and monitor the situation with local authorities to secure sufficient school places.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what progress he has made on plans to increase philanthropic support for the arts.

Edward Vaizey: We have made good progress in our work to boost philanthropy in the arts. Having set out a 10-point action plan which will guide our work over the next four years, the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), will shortly be launching an £80 million match funding programme in partnership with Arts Council England. This will help cultural organisations, large and small, across the country to build their supporter base and to fundraise more effectively, including through the development of endowments. The Government have published a White Paper on Giving which contained a range of measures which will boost charitable giving and volunteering across society. In his Budget the Chancellor announced a strong package of tax measures which will further incentivise philanthropy, in particular through legacy giving. We have also taken steps to strengthen public recognition for those who give their time and money to support the cultural life of the nation.

Departmental Redundancy

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancies in its non-departmental bodies (a) in 2011-12 and (b) over the comprehensive spending review period.

Edward Vaizey: The Department has not made an estimate of the number of redundancies within its non-departmental public bodies, either in 2011-12 or over the spending review period. Any such decisions will need to be taken by the bodies themselves in the light of their spending review settlement.

Diamond Jubilee 2012

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what events his Department has planned to mark the Queen's diamond jubilee in 2012.

Hugh Robertson: My Department has worked closely with colleagues across Government to launch two civic honours competitions and create a special diamond jubilee bank holiday on 5 June next year. A medal will also be issued to mark the diamond jubilee and the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), will make an announcement shortly. In addition, my Department continues to work in support of the wider programme of events for 2012, further details of which are available at:
	www.direct.gov.uk/diamondjubilee

Olympic Games 2012: Smoking

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has had discussions with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games on the provision of technical support by the World Health Organisation for implementation of a tobacco-free policy at the London 2012 Olympics.

Hugh Robertson: Officials in this Department and the Department of Health have discussed our aspiration for a tobacco-free Games with the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) on a number of occasions. At this stage, the role of the World Health Organisation in supporting this aspiration has not been considered.

Olympic Games 2012: Tickets

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion of tickets for the London 2012 Olympics he expects to be taken up by non-UK residents.

Hugh Robertson: The Olympic Games and Paralympic Games are global events. Of the 8.8 million tickets available for the Olympic Games, 75% are being made available through the UK application process. 12% of tickets are being made available to 205 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to sell to international sports fans in their countries. Due to EU law, UK residents are entitled to apply for tickets from NOCs within the EU, just as EU residents are entitled to apply for tickets from the UK application. However, over 95% of all applications in the first round of the UK public sales process—and of those who were successful—are from the UK.

Olympic Games 2012: Tickets

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what powers the Government has to restrict the use or onward sale by officials of the government of (a) Libya and (b) Syria of tickets to the London 2012 Olympics allocated to their National Olympic Committee.

Hugh Robertson: Section 31 of the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 makes it a criminal offence to sell a Games ticket in public or in the course of a business, without LOCOG's authorisation. “In the course of business” includes anyone who makes a profit or aims to make a profit from the sale.
	Overseas, tickets are allocated to a country's National Olympic Committee which is responsible for distributing them within their country. However, every international visitor is subject to the UK's immigration controls.

Olympic Games 2012: Tickets

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 140W, on the Olympic Games 2012, how many tickets for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics have been allocated to schools in Scotland to date.

Hugh Robertson: Through a levy on high-end prestige ticket packages, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is funding 200,000 “Ticketshare” tickets, which will see 50,000 tickets donated to schools across the UK.
	These tickets will be distributed via schools and colleges that have signed up to LOCOG's Get Set Network, part of the official London 2012 Get Set Education Programme. Therefore the numbers allocated to Scotland will depend on the number of schools and colleges that apply by the deadline of Friday 16 December 2011. Tickets will be allocated after this point.

Tourism: Diamond Jubilee 2012

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the potential effect on the economy of levels of tourism during the Queen's diamond jubilee celebrations in 2012.

Hugh Robertson: Through VisitBritain, we are creating the best ever overseas tourism marketing campaign for Britain, taking advantage of the unique opportunities in 2012 afforded by the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Her Majesty's diamond jubilee celebrations and other major events. The campaign is aiming to deliver an additional 4 million visitors to the UK and £2 billion extra spend over the next four years.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces: Languages

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the average cost per individual is to his Department of providing French language lessons for (a) RAF, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Army pilots; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many (a) RAF, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Army pilots are receiving French language lessons; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: Currently four pilots are receiving French language lessons within the Defence intelligence and security centre. The breakdown by service is as follows:
	RAF: One
	Royal Navy: Three
	Army: Nil.
	The cost per individual to the Ministry of Defence for the provision of French language lessons for the RAF, Royal Navy and Army pilots is £7,761 per student.

Belize: Military Aid

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what helicopter support is available to support British military training in Belize.

Nick Harvey: holding answer 22 June 2011
	25 Flight Army Air Corps (25 Flight AAC) currently operates three Bell 212 helicopters in support of the British Army Training Support Unit, Belize (BATSUB). This is however, due to cease this summer. The helicopters are operated by the Army Air Corps under a ‘military registered contractor owned’ basis, and are painted in the Army Air Corps military markings.
	In 2010 the UK Ministry of Defence looked at its use of all military bases overseas and, after consultation with the Government of Belize, concluded that BATSUB would remain open but that we will, from 2011, temporarily suspend our routine training activities in Belize. As a consequence, there is currently no requirement for helicopter support and UK aviation support will, therefore, cease after the last Infantry exercise scheduled for mid-July. 25 Flight AAC will transfer to the UK, to provide helicopter support to other military collective training activities.

Defence Equipment

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure his Department will incur in relation to the Defence and Security Equipment International Exhibition between 13 and 16 September 2011; and which Ministers from his Department plan to attend the event.

Gerald Howarth: The Defence and Security Equipment International 2011 (DSEi '11) will be held at the ExCel centre in London from 13 - 16 September 2011. UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) is the Government lead for this event. The event provides an excellent medium through which to promote UK manufacturing and technological excellence in these sectors and, by inviting overseas customers, offers a valuable opportunity to support economic growth through exports. Costs associated with hosting official overseas delegations invited by Government to attend DSEi '11 will be met by the organisers. In support of this event the Ministry of Defence (MOD) will be providing two Royal Navy ships which will participate as part of the Royal Navy's routine military tasking. The MOD will provide a small team of military personnel to support UKTI DSO with the administrative arrangements for the event, for which we will meet the staff costs. Programmes of UK Government Ministers are decided nearer to the date of the event and will not be published in advance of its taking place.

Defence: Research

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions he has put in place to limit the transfer of UK military research and development to other countries.

Peter Luff: The British Government actively support the drive for commercial exports with a licensing system that ensures such activity is responsible. Information exchanges between governments are conducted in accordance with the provisions of Memoranda of Understanding. The Ministry of Defence only enters into such arrangements after extensive scrutiny.

Defence: USA

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to improve defence technology co-operation between the UK and US.

Peter Luff: The Strategic Defence and Security Review published on 19 October 2010 emphasised that the US remains the UK's primary strategic collaborator. We are currently strengthening our collaborative engagement with the US by increasing the proportion of our research programme undertaken on a collaborative basis in a number of key areas and refocusing activity that would have been undertaken with other nations. We are also working with the US on the detailed arrangements required to implement the US-UK Defence Trade Co-operation Treaty. The treaty aims to simplify transfer arrangements between the US and UK for certain categories of technology, when destined for UK and US Government end-use, and seeks to improve interoperability and the delivery of capability to our armed forces.
	US-UK co-operation on nuclear technology continues to be enhanced through the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement.

Departmental Data Protection

Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to promote visual data security in his Department; and what training his Department provides to its officials in respect of the management of visual data security.

Nick Harvey: The Department's information security policy and guidance makes clear that, protectively marked information or personal data are not to be handled in circumstances where such information may be overlooked by unauthorised persons, particularly in public locations.
	Staff are advised of technical procedures which can help to protect data security and are required to undertake the appropriate training courses on the protection of information.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to publish the first report on the projects considered by his Department's Major Projects Review Board on 13 June 2011.

Peter Luff: The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), has previously stated his intention to publish a list of “projects of concern” as an outcome of the Major Projects Review Board meetings. The purpose of the Board is to incentivise better performance in the management and delivery of major projects that are delayed or experiencing serious cost growth. Projects will be placed on the list of concern if once reviewed by the Board they continue to slip or increase in cost and fail to provide sufficient confidence in their recovery plan. It is not possible, therefore, to identify any specific “projects of concern” at this early stage in the process or to predict when such a report becomes appropriate.

Departmental Visits Abroad

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what overseas visits he undertook in the last six months; what the (a) country and place visited, (b) date, (c) meetings attended during the visit, (d) names of other individuals attending such meetings and (e) purpose of each meeting was in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Fox: The information is being collated. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.
	Substantive answer from Liam Fox to Stephen Gilbert:
	I write in reply to your written Parliamentary Question. (37793)
	I answered on 2 February that the information was being collated and I would write to you as soon as it was available.
	A full response is as follows.
	
		
			 Date Place, country Meetings Purpose Attendees 
			 2010     
			 June/July     
			 4-7 Singapore and Abu Dhabi Bilateral meetings Defence Diplomacy Representatives from Australia, the People's Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka 
			   IISS Shangri-La Security Conference Conference Speaker HMA, DA, PS, SA 
			      
			 10-11 Brussels, Belgium NATO Defence Ministerial Defence Ministerial HMA, PS, SA 
			      
			 29 June-3 July Washington DC and Tampa, Florida Meetings with U.S. Defense Secretary, key congressman, and U.S. CentCom staff Defence Diplomacy and operational briefing HMA, DA, PS, SA, MA 
			      
			 August     
			 7-11 Dubai, Bahrain, Afghanistan Key leader engagements in Kabul, Kandahar and Helmand Strategic and operational briefing HMAs, DAs, PS, SA 
			      
			 September     
			 2-3 Paris, France French Defence Minister Defence Diplomacy DA, PS, SA 
			 10-12 Geneva, Switzerland IISS Global Strategic Review Conference Speaking engagement International representation 
		
	
	
		
			     PS, SA 
			      
			 24-26 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Key leader engagement Defence Diplomacy HMA, DA, PS, SA 
			      
			 October/November     
			 31-1 Larnaca, Cyprus Briefings from UK personnel Operational briefing CJO, PS, SA 
			 10-11 Oslo, Norway NATO Northern Grouping Ministers Meeting Inaugural meeting Northern Grouping Ministers and Officials. 
			     HMA, DA, PS, SA, Hd NEP 
			      
			 13-15 Afghanistan, Oman Remembrance Parade Remembrance HRH Prince William 
			     HMA, DA, PS, SA, CJO 
			      
			 19-20 Lisbon, Portugal NATO Summit NATO discussions NATO representatives 
			     HMA, PS, SA 
			      
			 22-24 New Delhi, India Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Development of UK/India Science and Technology relationship Representatives of DRDO 
			   Indian Defence Minister and National Security Adviser Defence Diplomacy Indian Defence Minister, National Security Adviser and Indian MOD representatives 
			   Vivekenanda Foundation Speaking engagement International audience and media 
			   Meeting with EADS and BAE Systems Support to UK industry EADS and BAE Systems representatives 
			     HMA, DA, PS, SA, MA 
			      
			 December     
			 2-6 Manama, Bahrain Bilateral meetings Defence Diplomacy. HMA, DA, PS, SA, MA 
			   Manama Dialogue Conference Speaker HMA, DA, PS, SA, MA 
			   MCC and RN personnel Operational briefing HMA, DA, PS, SA, MA 
			      
			 18-21 Dubai, UAE Bilateral engagement with UAE key leaders Regional engagement. HMA, DA, PS, SA 
			   Visit to Al Minhad Airbase Operational briefing UK deployed personnel 
			      
			 2011     
			 January     
			 3-5 Afghanistan Key leader engagements in Kabul, Masar-E-Sharif, Balk, Kandahar and Helmand. Strategic and operational briefing Meetings with key ISAF, UK and Afghans 
			     Accompanied by Attorney-General and FCO Minister (Alistair Burt MP) 
			     HMA, DA, PS, SA, DOpPol, CJO, MA 
			      
			 13 Paris, France French Defence Minister, Defence Diplomacy DA, PS, SA 
			      
			 16-17 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Meeting HC of FPDA countries Defence Diplomacy HC of UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore 
		
	
	
		
			   Meetings with Malaysian Defence Minister, Home Affairs Minister, and Prime Minister Defence Diplomacy Malaysian Prime Minister, Defence Minister, Home Affairs Minister, and Malaysian officials 
			   Meeting with BAE Systems and Boustead Naval Shipyard Support to industry BAE Systems and Boustead representatives. 
			     HC, DA, PS, SA 
			      
			 18-20 Sydney and Adelaide, Australia Australia/UK Ministerial Consultations Defence Diplomacy Australian Prime Minister, Foreign and Defence Ministers and delegations 
			   Visits to Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) Development of UK/Australia Science and Technology relationship Australian Defence Ministers, Australian Secretary of Defence, DSTO officials Australian 
			   Meeting with BAE Systems Support to industry Defence Ministers, Australian Secretary of Defence Premier of South Australia, BAE Systems representatives 
			     HC, DA, CDS, 2nd PUS, PS, SA 
			      
			 20-22 Auckland, New Zealand Meetings with New Zealand Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministers, and Prime Minister Defence Diplomacy New Zealand Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministers, and Prime Minister. UK Foreign Secretary and delegation, UK Chief of Defence Staff 
			   Visit to New Zealand Armed Forces Operational briefing HC, DA, 2nd PUS, PS, SA 
			      
			 24 Ankara, Turkey Meetings with Turkish Defence Minister, Commander of the Turkish General Staff, and Turkish Undersecretary for Defence Industries Defence Diplomacy Turkish Defence Minister, Commander of the Turkish General Staff, and Turkish Undersecretary for Defence Industries 
			     HMA, DA, UK Commander Field Army, Hd UKTI DSO, PS, SA 
			 Key:  HMA = Her Majesty's Ambassador; DA = Defence Attaché/Adviser; PS = Private Secretary; SA = Special Adviser(s) (Policy); CJO = Chief of Joint Operations; MA = Media Adviser; DOpPol = Director Operational Policy; Hd NEP = MOD Head of NATO and European Policy; CDS = Chief of Defence Staff; HC = Her Majesty's High Commissioner;  2nd PUS = 2nd Permanent Under Secretary;  Hd UKTI DSO = Head of UK Trade and Industry Defence Services Organisation.

Falkland Islands: Military Aircraft

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in how many quick reaction alert activations which have taken place on the Falkland Islands since May 2010 (a) only one aircraft and (b) no aircraft became airborne.

Nick Harvey: holding answer 21 June 2011
	A single Typhoon has been launched in every quick reaction alert activation over the last 12 months.

HMS Endurance

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of repairs to HMS Endurance in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Luff: The amounts spent by the Ministry of Defence in maintaining or repairing HMS Endurance during the last five years are shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Financial year Amount (£ million) 
			 2006-07(1) 3.2 
			 2007-08(1) 2.3 
			 2008-09(2) 2.1 
			 2009-10(3) 0.5 
			 2010-11 0 
			 (1) Cost of routine maintenance which includes refits and repairing worn or damaged equipment. (2) Cost of routine maintenance plus repair costs following the accident. (3) Cost of removing equipment, cleaning and conducting a survey.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the use of Predator drones.

Nick Harvey: MQ-9 Reaper (also known as Predator B) is the UK's only armed remotely piloted aircraft system. It plays a vital role supporting military operations in Afghanistan where it is operated under the command of the NATO International Security and Assistance Force. Reaper crews comply fully with the air traffic procedures in force within their designated Afghan airspace; operate under the principles of International Humanitarian Law (also known as the Law of Armed Conflict); and any release of weapons is in accordance with the same UK rules of engagement as conventionally piloted UK combat aircraft operating in Afghanistan.

Warships: Deployment

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ships by type are deployed on current operations or exercises.

Nick Harvey: As of 16 June 2011, the ships of each type deployed on operations are as follows.
	Middle East  deployments
	Type 23s
	HMS Iron Duke
	HMS Monmouth
	Mine Counter Measures Vessels (MCMV)
	HMS Grimsby
	HMS Chiddingfold
	HMS Pembroke
	HMS Middleton
	Royal Fleet Auxiliaries  (RFAs)
	RFA Lyme Bay—Landing ship dock
	RFA Diligence—Forward repair ship
	RFA Fort Victoria—Replenishment ship
	Survey Vessel
	HMS Echo
	Operation ATALANTA
	EU counter-piracy and counter-smuggling operations within the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean.
	Type 23
	HMS Richmond
	Operation ELLAMY
	The UK's contribution to NATO forces enforcing UN Resolution 1973 to protect civilians in Libya.
	Landing platform helicopter
	HMS Ocean
	RFA
	RFA Fort Rosalie—Replenishment ship
	Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR
	NATO forces enforcing UN Resolution 1973 to protect civilians in Libya.
	Type 42
	HMS Liverpool
	MCMV
	HMS Brocklesby
	Responsive Force Task Group
	Capacity building and support to operations East of Suez.
	Landing platform dock and Fleet flagship
	HMS Albion
	Type 23
	HMS Sutherland
	RFAs
	RFA Cardigan Bay—Landing ship dock
	RFA Wave Knight—Fleet tanker
	Gibraltar Patrol
	The security of Gibraltar territorial seas.
	Patrol  b oats
	HMS Sabre
	HMS Scimitar
	Atlantic Patrol Tasking (North)
	The UK's maritime contribution to the Caribbean and North Atlantic area. Protection of UK interests, humanitarian role in response to the natural disasters, especially hurricanes, which are prevalent in this region.
	RFA
	RFA Wave Ruler—Fleet tanker
	Atlantic Patrol Tasking (South
	The standing naval commitment to the South Atlantic and West African regions. Provide a maritime presence to protect the British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, including South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and UK's interests in the region.
	Type 42
	HMS Edinburgh
	RFA
	RFA Black Rover—Small fleet tanker
	Falkland Island  Patrol Ship
	Permanently stationed in the region, responsible for maintaining British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, including South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
	Offshore patrol vessel (helicopter)
	HMS Clyde
	Fishery Protection
	Patrolling UK's extended Fisheries Zone.
	River Class offshore patrol vessel
	HMS Tyne
	HMS Severn
	HMS Mersey
	Survey operations
	Survey operations throughout the world using the latest techniques to provide information for Admiralty charts and nautical publications and in particular updating the charts covering the waters around the United Kingdom.
	Her Majesty's Survey Motor Launch
	HMS Gleaner
	UK  Contingency operations
	Royal Navy maritime security units at readiness to react to any possible threat to the integrity of UK territorial seas and security of the UK.
	Type 23s
	HMS Portland
	HMS Westminster
	HMS Montrose
	Type 45
	HMS Daring
	MCMV
	HMS Hurworth
	RFA
	RFA Orangeleaf—Support tanker.
	In addition Type 45 Destroyer HMS Dauntless is exercising with French, US and Russian naval units as part of an annual exercise.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Bishops: Public Appointments

Diana Johnson: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what the average length of time between announcing the retirement or resignation of a bishop and announcing the successor was in the latest period for which figures are available; what the period was in respect of the two provincial episcopal visitors who were recently appointed; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Baldry: There are several factors which affect the period taken to fill an episcopal vacancy, the principal ones being the amount of notice, if any, that a bishop gives of his intention to leave office and, in the case of diocesan sees, the number of vacancies with which the Crown Nominations Commission is already dealing. Because of a peak of diocesan vacancies over the past three years the length of diocesan vacancies has been unusually long.
	The following table contains data in respect of eight recent vacancies for diocesan sees, 10 for suffragan sees, and two (which occurred at the same time as each other) for the suffragan sees occupied by provincial episcopal visitors. All answers are in days and are for the period between the announcement of the intention to leave office and the announcement of the appointment.
	
		
			  Average time taken Actual time taken 
			 Suffragan 233 — 
			 Diocesan 395 — 
			 PEVs — 178

Bishops: Public Appointments

Diana Johnson: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what average time elapsed between the announcement of the appointment and the consecration of suffragan bishops in the latest period for which figures are available; what the period was in respect of the two provincial episcopal visitors who were recently appointed; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Baldry: The table gives the period, in days, between the announcement of the appointments and the consecration dates in relation to 10 recent vacancies in suffragan sees and the two recent provincial episcopal visitor appointments:
	
		
			  Average time taken Actual time taken 
			 Suffragans 79 — 
			 PEVs — 42

Church of England

Diana Johnson: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what the ratio is of Church of England parishes which have passed Resolution C to provincial episcopal visitors.

Tony Baldry: The 2010 figures show that out of 12,614 parishes 363 parishes had petitioned for extended episcopal oversight, 802 had passed resolution A (under which a woman may not preside at Holy Communion) and 966 resolution B (under which a woman may not be incumbent of the parish). Under the Act of Synod the three provincial episcopal visitors have a spokesman and advisory role in relation to all those unable to receive the ministry of women priests as well as a direct oversight role for many of the 363 parishes who have petitioned for extended Episcopal oversight. For some of the 363 parishes oversight is provided by diocesan or other suffragan bishops who do not ordain women.

Church of England: Bishops

Diana Johnson: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what the ratio is of Church of England parishes to serving bishops.

Tony Baldry: The most recent figures (2009) show that in the 43 dioceses of England and the Isle of Man there were 12,614 parishes and 110 bishops, of whom 43 were diocesan bishops. This gives a ratio of 115 parishes per bishop, though the actual ratio varies significantly between dioceses.

Churches: Visits

Diana Johnson: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what limits there are on any structures that provincial episcopal visitors are permitted to establish.

Tony Baldry: Provincial episcopal visitors are suffragan bishops within the dioceses of Canterbury and York and have no authority to establish any structures separate from those of their dioceses.

CABINET OFFICE

Crown Relocations

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many contracts his Department holds with Crown Relocations; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value of each such contract is.

Francis Maude: The Cabinet Office does not hold any contracts with Crown Relocations according to the records available.

My Civil Service Pension

Mary Glindon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what consultation he had with staff employed in My Civil Service Pension (MyCSP) on the proposed mutualisation of MyCSP; and if he will publish the outcome of the consultation;
	(2)  what representations he has received from Civil Service staff on the proposed reform of My Civil Service Pension;
	(3)  what governance arrangements for My Civil Service Pension have been drafted ahead of its planned mutualisation; and whether (a) the public, (b) MyCSP staff and (c) trade unions are to be consulted on such governance arrangements.

Francis Maude: MyCSP is keen to transform its business into an innovative mutual joint venture that offers extensive benefits to employees, customers and the Government. The Government support this endeavour.
	Extensive consultation with the employees of MyCSP has been carried out, led by the CEO, including face to face, written and telephone communications. Trade unions have been consulted and I have met with them personally.
	There has been very strong interest from employees; naturally some have concerns and are eager to find out more about what the changes will mean in practice, but there is a great deal of recognition among employees of the fact that mutualisation offers substantial benefits.
	Elections are already under way for employees to sit on the Employee Partnership Council. This body will strengthen the voice of employees and involve them directly in the running of the company.

Public Sector: Manpower

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of the working population in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland was employed by the public sector in the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what proportion of the working population in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland were employed by the public sector in the latest period for which figures are available (61803).
	Estimates of regional employment for the UK public sector are published on a quarterly basis by the Office for National Statistics. The latest date for which information is available is March 2011.
	The requested data are as follows:
	
		
			 Table 1: Regional public sector employment rates: by country of workplace  (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 
			 Percentage of total employment 
			  England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland 
			 2011 Q1 20.3 25.0 26.1 29.7 
			 (1) Rates based on total employment that includes overseas employees, those who did not state their region of workplace when surveyed as part of the Labour Force Survey and approximately 40,000 public sector employees that could not be assigned to a region. (2) Estimates are based on where people are employed. (3) Public Sector employment estimates for Scotland Q1 2011 will be revised on 28 June and included in the Scottish Government publication: Public Sector Employment in Scotland. This revision will take account of revised NHS headcount figures (based on a new improved methodology). Further details can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/PublicSectorEmployment (4) Estimates for Northern Ireland will differ to those published by DFPNI. The ONS figures include HM Forces Personnel. (5) Estimates of employment for Q1 2011 include 15,000 temporary staff employed to undertake the 2011 Census. Source: Office for National Statistics

Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he received a request from (a) Members of the Welsh Government or (b) the Secretary of State for Wales between 6 May and 20 May 2011 to meet to discuss issues relating to affairs in Wales that are within his responsibilities.

Francis Maude: I received no such requests.

PRIME MINISTER

Legal Advice: Armed Forces

Michael Meacher: To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish in full the legal advice he obtained before the commencement of military action in Libya.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr (Jonathan Edwards) on 16 June 2011, Official Report, column 885W.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Females: Mass Media

Claire Perry: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what steps she is taking in relation to the representation of body images of women in the media.

Lynne Featherstone: I have established an expert group to work with me, and representatives from relevant industries and the voluntary sector, to help reduce the pressure the media places on an individual's body image. People are being set an impossible standard by the images they see.
	I am also working with Media Smart, a not-for-profit media literacy provider to create a lesson for primary schools that will give children the tools and techniques to understand and critically appraise what they see in the media.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Charities: VAT

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the payment of value added tax by charities in Northern Ireland.

Owen Paterson: I have had no such discussions as I have no ministerial responsibility for these areas. Tax is the responsibility of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), and charities policy and legislation in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Minister for Social Development.

Royal Irish Regiment: Parades

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many representations he has received on the decision by the Ministry of Defence not to permit a homecoming parade for the Royal Irish Regiment in Belfast;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on homecoming parades for the Royal Irish Regiment in Northern Ireland.

Owen Paterson: I have received a number of both written and verbal representations and as such have had a number of conversations with the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox).

Secondment

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were seconded from his Department to the Northern Ireland civil service in each year since 2007.

Owen Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured following the completion of devolution of policing and justice functions on 12 April 2010 are not available.
	There are currently eight staff seconded from my Department to the Northern Ireland civil service.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications for contributory Employment and Support Allowance he expects for each financial year from 2011-12 to 2015-16.

Chris Grayling: holding answer 9 June 2011
	The information requested is not available. The Department does not produce forecasts of claims received by payment type.
	The following table provides the forecast total number of claims received for employment and support allowance.
	
		
			  ESA claims received forecast (thousand) 
			 2011-12 722 
			 2012-13 720 
			 2013-14 719 
			 2014-15 709 
			 2015-16 710

Hewlett Packard

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with representatives of (a) Hewlett Packard and (b) trade unions on the application of Hewlett Packard to offshore elements of the Adams 2 contract it holds with his Department; and when he expects to reach a decision on this application.

Chris Grayling: The Department's existing contract for IT services with HP already makes provision for the delivery of services from non-UK locations. Ministers are reviewing existing plans to increase the amount of work delivered this way.

Jobcentre Plus: Travel

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he took into consideration the ability of employees of the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Office within Hartlepool Jobcentre Plus to travel to other Jobcentre Plus offices by public transport prior to his decision to close that office.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Darra Singh
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking whether he took into consideration the ability of employees of the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) Office within Hartlepool Jobcentre Plus to travel to other Jobcentre Plus offices by public transport prior to his decision to close that office. This falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	In deciding which sites to close in rationalising our estate, Jobcentre Plus used a balance of criteria of: performance; cost; size (sites under 200 seats being less cost effective) ; staff redeployment opportunities and impact on the local economy/community (including seeking to avoid areas where other public sector staff reductions may take place). In addition a full Equality Impact Assessment was conducted and a site specific one for each site selected. Disability, gender, race, age, gender reassignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation and pregnancy and maternity were all considered. This ensured that all of the issues and potential impacts were exposed and mitigated. The results of the Hartlepool IIDB office Equality Impact Assessment were included within the equally weighted and balanced set of criteria that was used by Jobcentre Plus to inform decision making.
	Therefore I can confirm that the redeployment potential of the Hartlepool staff was one of the factors considered when deciding whether to close the site.
	Every member of staff at Hartlepool IIDB centre will be offered a job elsewhere in Jobcentre Plus. There may also be additional opportunities for redeployment into other Civil Service posts outside of this Department. Help with travel to get to an alternative workplace will be given. Redeployment to Stockton and Sunderland Benefit Centres, Middlesbrough Contact Centre and the Jobcentres at Hartlepool, Billingham, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Thornaby, Eston, Redcar, Darlington and Middlesbrough East are being given due consideration.
	All staff at Hartlepool are being engaged by their managers in frequent one to one discussions. This is the opportunity for staff to explore their options and access the full range of support offered by Jobcentre Plus under departmental workforce management and equality policies. All available options will be considered, including relocation, redeployment and reasonable adjustments. Trade Union representatives are being kept informed and are available for staff to consult about their particular circumstances.

Maternity Pay

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's policy for staff is in respect of (a) eligibility criteria and (b) rates of pay for (i) maternity and (ii) adoption leave.

Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions offers all employees access to enhanced provisions on maternity and adoption leave. For those employees with the appropriate level of qualifying service it also exceeds statutory minimum payments.
	Maternity Leave and Pay
	Regardless of length of service or hours worked, employees are entitled to unpaid Departmental Maternity Leave of 52 weeks.
	Employees who have completed 26 weeks continuous service by the 15(th) week before the Expected Week of Childbirth are entitled to 39 weeks Statutory Maternity Pay, which is six weeks at 90% of pay, followed by 33 weeks at Statutory Maternity Pay level.
	Employees who have completed more than one year's paid service (including temporary service) within the Civil Service when their maternity leave starts may be eligible, for 26 weeks Departmental Maternity Pay (DMP) paid at their normal rate of pay, followed by 13 weeks Statutory Maternity Pay and a further 13 weeks Unpaid Maternity Leave.
	Adoption Leave and Pay
	Regardless of length of service or hours worked, employees are entitled to unpaid Departmental Adoption Leave of 52 weeks, provided employees adopt through an approved adoption agency.
	Employees who have completed 26 weeks of service by the placement date and have average weekly earnings of at least £97 per week before tax, are entitled to 39 weeks of Statutory Adoption Pay, at whichever is the lower of:
	£124.88 or
	90% of their average weekly earnings.
	Employees who have completed more than one year's paid service, including temporary service, when their adoption leave starts may be eligible for 26 weeks paid adoption leave at their normal rate of pay followed by 13 weeks Statutory Adoption Pay and a further 13 weeks of unpaid leave.

Older Workers

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to integrate into his Department's policies the objectives of the 2012 European Year on Active Ageing.

Steve Webb: The European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations challenges member states to improve opportunities for active ageing in general and for living independently, acting in areas as diverse as employment, health care, social services, adult learning, volunteering, housing, IT services or transport.
	DWP is already working with other Government Departments, local government, the voluntary and community sector, other stakeholders and citizens to address these challenges, support the development of practical local solutions and promote the learning from this work.

Pathways to Work: Redundancy

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people previously employed on Pathways to Work were made redundant in each of the last 12 months; and how many such people had disabilities.

Chris Grayling: Information on the number of people who were previously employed on Pathways to Work who were made redundant is not collected.
	The advent of the Work Programme has raised questions about the rights of staff working on previous employment programmes, such as Pathways to Work, to transfer to the new contractors under TUPE (the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006). This is a complex transition, with large numbers of contracts coming to an end and being replaced by a smaller number of larger contracts.
	While DWP understood the concerns of people involved in the Pathways to Work contracts, the support available through Jobcentre Plus and Work Programme represents a clean break from previous work initiatives and cannot therefore be seen as a continuation of Pathways to Work. Staff working for Pathways to Work providers were therefore not eligible for TUPE transfer to Jobcentre Plus.
	Official statistics are routinely published for employment programmes such as Pathways to Work. Official statistics on Pathways to Work starts and job entries are available up to October 2010, and are published at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.php?page= ib_ref_p2w

Pensions

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he plans to take to ensure that members of the public are aware of the effects on them of auto-enrolment in workplace pension schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Webb: DWP will proactively communicate the reforms to individuals through the media and other channels, working in partnership with other organisations where appropriate.
	We are also developing a comprehensive set of information that will be available to individuals who want to know more about the reforms, this will be available via Directgov, supported by a call centre and though partner organisations including the Pensions Advisory Service and the Money Advice Service, where more specialist, independent information about pensions or about financial planning and budgeting is needed.
	DWP, with the help of the Pensions Regulator and some large employers, is also developing an ‘information toolkit’ so that employers have information available for their employees in the workplace.
	We also have a full programme of communications to employers which will explain the reforms. We will use a variety of channels such as the media and business websites. The Pensions Regulator is also rolling out a programme of communications and information so that employers understand how to comply with the legislation.

TRANSPORT

Low-carbon Vehicles

Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to promote low-carbon vehicles.

Philip Hammond: The Government have made provision of over £400 million for measures to promote the uptake of ultra-low carbon vehicle technologies. These measures include support for consumer incentives, development of recharging infrastructure, and a programme of research, development work and demonstration work. Low emission vehicles are also supported by the tax system.

Airports

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what definition his Department uses of the term hub airport.

Theresa Villiers: As part of the process of developing a sustainable framework for UK aviation, the Department for Transport published a scoping document in March 2011 which provides the following broad definition of a hub airport:
	“A hub airport is used by airlines as the main base for connecting traffic where a significant proportion of passengers transfer between flights.”

Car Odometer

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department provides on the legitimate circumstances for the replacement of a car odometer.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport does not publish specific guidance. While there is no legal requirement to fit an odometer to a vehicle or for a fitted odometer to be in good working order, it is an offence enforceable by trading standards officers if a recorded mileage is knowingly misrepresented to a potential purchaser.

Crossrail Line

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of establishing a Crossrail station at (a) Kensal Green and (b) Old Oak Common.

Theresa Villiers: The Crossrail route as defined under the Crossrail Act 2008 does not include a station at Kensal Green.
	The Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the cost of an additional Crossrail station at Kensal Green. The Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea have outlined their view of the estimated costs to Crossrail sponsors, and Crossrail Limited is working with sponsors to test these estimates. As part of its proposals for a national high speed rail network, HS2 Ltd estimated that the base construction cost of a Crossrail interchange at Old Oak Common would be £570 million (excluding risk).

Crossrail Line

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential effects on the timetable for the completion of the Crossrail project of adding further stations to the project.

Theresa Villiers: The Crossrail route as defined under the Crossrail Act 2008 does not include a station at Kensal Green. The Department for Transport has not undertaken an assessment of the impact of stations not included on the route as defined under the Act on the programme for the completion of Crossrail.
	Any change to the scope of Crossrail would have to be approved by the joint sponsors, the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State for Transport. In the first instance, Crossrail Limited would need to assess the potential programme impacts were such a change to be proposed. The impact on Crossrail services would also have to be considered.

Crossrail Line

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) accidents and (b) fatalities in the construction of Crossrail have been recorded.

Theresa Villiers: There have been no fatalities to date during the construction of Crossrail. There have been 12 RIDDOR-reportable accidents (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, 1995) since Crossrail commenced its main delivery phase in May 2009. Prior to that one reportable accident occurred in February 2008 during the preliminary works stage.

Crossrail Line

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on the safety record in constructing Crossrail.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport receives regular information from Crossrail Ltd regarding safety matters. In addition, arrangements are in place to ensure that the Department for Transport is advised if a serious safety incident occurs.

Crossrail Line

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has assessed the merits of establishing a Crossrail station at Old Oak Common.

Theresa Villiers: An assessment of a Crossrail interchange has been carried out by HS2 Ltd as part the development of its proposals. As set out in the current consultation on high speed rail, the Government consider that there is a strong case for a Crossrail interchange at Old Oak Common.

Crossrail Line

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has assessed the merits of establishing a Crossrail station at Kensal Green.

Theresa Villiers: The Crossrail route as defined under the Crossrail Act 2008 does not include a station at Kensal Green. The Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the merits of an additional Crossrail station at Kensal Green, although the Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea have shared with Crossrail sponsors their view of the merits of this proposal, and sponsors are working to test these estimates.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to publish full details of the High Speed 2 Y route; and for what reason he has not made this information available.

Philip Hammond: holding answer 21 June 2011
	Details of options for the routes to Leeds and Manchester, including stations, are currently in preparation. This work is not yet complete and I am, therefore, yet to receive any advice on these routes.
	The timetable we have always been working to is set out in a letter I wrote to HS2 Ltd on 4 October 2010, in which I requested that it complete its advice on routes to Leeds and Manchester by December 2011. This letter is at:
	http://www.hs2.org.uk/publications/HS2-Ltds-remit-of-4-October-2010--61200
	My Department's business plan clearly states that informal consultation on the options for routes to Leeds and Manchester will commence in 2012, followed by formal consultation in 2014. The business plan is at:
	http://www2.dft.gov.uk/about/publications/business/plan2011-15/

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding (a) his Department and (b) other Departments have allocated to planning and preparation for High Speed 2 to 2014-15; how much of this funding has been spent; and on what activities such funding has been spent.

Philip Hammond: holding answer 21 June 2011
	The information requested is provided in the following table.
	
		
			 Funding allocated to planning and preparation for HS2, 2014-15 
			 £ million 
			  Pre 2011-12 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 
			 Resource spending 21.3 .116.1 163.3 89.4 204.2 
			 Capital spending 3.1 50 50 50 50 
		
	
	HS2 Ltd spent £24.1 million (excluding VAT) between January 2009, when it was established, and the end of the 2010-11 financial year. In addition, the Department spent £9.6 million on property purchases under the Exceptional Hardship Scheme up to the end of the 2010-11 financial year.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what compensation he plans to make available to home owners living along the proposed High Speed 2 route between Manchester and Leeds.

Philip Hammond: holding answer 21 June 2011
	No decision has yet been made on discretionary blight or compensation arrangements for future proposed routes between Birmingham and Manchester, and Birmingham and Leeds. Until the options for routes to Manchester and Leeds are known, and the potential effect of blight considered, it would be premature to decide what support arrangements may need to be put in place.
	Following publication of those route options the Government would consider, and consult on, the question of whether the approach taken for the first phase of the network would also be effective for lines further north, or whether an alternative approach would be more appropriate.

High Speed 2 Railway Line: Lancashire

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential benefit to Ormskirk and Skelmersdale of the High Speed 2 project.

Philip Hammond: The Department for Transport has made no estimate specific to Ormskirk and Skelmersdale. However, Table 5 of the “Economic Case for HS2” available on the HS2 consultation website at:
	www.highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/economic-case
	shows that on the basis of trip origins an estimated 23% of the benefits of the initial London-West Midlands phase of HS2 would relate to the North West region. This would include benefits derived from the two high speed peak hour services that would run onto Glasgow Central and call at Wigan and Preston, as outlined in HS2 Ltd's indicative modelled service specification.
	Once the proposed high speed line from Birmingham to Manchester is completed, we would expect further economic benefits to accrue to the North West region, including Ormskirk and Skelmersdale.

High Speed 2 Railway Line: Liverpool

Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential economic benefit of High Speed 2 to the Liverpool City region.

Philip Hammond: The Department for Transport has made no estimate specific to the Liverpool city region. However, Table 5 of the Economic Case for HS2, available on the HS2 consultation website at:
	http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/economic-case
	shows that on the basis of trip origins an estimated 23% of the benefits of the initial London-West Midlands phase of HS2 would relate to the North West region. This would include benefits derived from the two high speed services per hour to Liverpool included in HS2 Ltd's modelled service specification.
	Once the proposed line form Birmingham to Manchester is completed, we would expect further economic benefits to accrue to the North West region, including to the Liverpool City region.

High Speed Two

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings he has had with those with properties affected by the proposed High Speed 2 rail route to Manchester and Leeds.

Philip Hammond: The options for routes north of the West Midlands are currently being developed by HS2 Ltd and are planned to be published in 2012. At this stage it is too early to know what properties could potentially be affected.
	I have met and had discussions with several members of the public whose properties are in the vicinity of the proposed route between London and the West Midlands as part of my visits to the line of route before and during the current consultation.

Large Goods Vehicles

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether EU Directive 96/53/EC on road vehicles will restrict use of any articulated vehicle in excess of 16.5 metres in length on UK roads to operation on a trial basis only.

Michael Penning: holding answer 21 June 2011
	Article 4.4 (b) of Directive 96/53/EC permits a member state to allow, in domestic traffic, vehicles which exceed the maximum dimensions specified in Annex I (in the case of articulated vehicles, a maximum length of 16.5m), provided that the member state also allows vehicles which comply with Annex I dimensions to be used in such combinations as to achieve at least the loading length of the longer vehicle. If this condition is fulfilled, there is no requirement to operate on a trial basis only.
	The Government are consulting on a proposal to allow articulated vehicles of 18.75m in total length, with a loading length of 15.65m. This is the same loading length which is currently provided by Annex I compliant rigid/drawbar combinations.

Large Goods Vehicles

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential effect on (a) road safety and (b) levels of carbon emissions of the operation on UK roads of vehicles over 16.5 metres in length.

Michael Penning: holding answer 21 June 2011
	The Department for Transport's research into the potential impacts of allowing longer semi-trailers on British roads, set out in the impact assessment on longer semi-trailers, found that while there might be a small increase in safety risk per vehicle, this is outweighed by a forecast decrease in accidents from running fewer lorries, with an overall net decrease in casualties from accidents involving articulated HGVs of around 1.6%.
	The research also found that allowing longer semi-trailers would result in around 100,000 tonnes annual reduction in CO2 emissions.

Large Goods Vehicles

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the ratio of laden to unladen heavy goods vehicles on UK roads in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the likely ratio following any introduction of vehicles over 16.5 metres to the UK.

Michael Penning: holding answer 21 June 2011
	Current load factors for heavy goods vehicles are published in the Department's "Road Freight Statistics". Figures are available for 2009 on the Department's website.
	The Government are consulting on proposals to allow an increase in the length of articulated lorries. Research commissioned by the Department considered a variety of matters that influence loading factors, and sensitivity tests were conducted to assess the implications. This is summarised in the main report and the impact assessment with the full detail found in section 4 of the Economic Assessment.

Large Goods Vehicles

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic accidents involving heavy goods vehicles there were in each of the last 10 years; how many (a) fatalities and (b) serious injuries arose from such accidents in each such year; and what assessment he has made of the potential effects on the numbers of such incidents of the introduction of heavy goods vehicles over 16.5 metres long.

Michael Penning: holding answer 21 June 2011
	Reported personal injury road accidents involving a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) and the consequential casualties in Great Britain collated by the Department for Transport for 2000 to 2009 were as follows:
	
		
			  Accidents Casualties 
			   Killed Seriously injured 
			 2000 13,894 560 2,719 
			 2001 13,631 575 2,564 
			 2002 12,427 532 2,374 
			 2003 12,205 528 2,111 
			 2004 11,542 449 1,884 
			 2005 11,162 486 1,785 
			 2006 10,466 419 1,700 
			 2007 9,829 435 1,574 
			 2008 8,415 368 1,344 
			 2009 7,013 268 1,171 
		
	
	The Department's research into the potential impacts of allowing longer semi-trailers on GB roads found that while there may be an increase in safety risk per vehicle this is outweighed by a forecast decrease in accidents from running fewer lorries, with an overall net decrease in casualties from accidents involving articulated HGVs of around 1.6 per cent.

London Underground: Industrial Disputes

Stephen Metcalfe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to prevent unplanned industrial action on London Underground.

Theresa Villiers: Existing legislation already requires trade unions contemplating industrial action to ballot their membership and give due notice to the employer.
	Government encourages both London Underground (LU) and the trade unions representing LU employees to resolve current disputes as quickly as possible through negotiation.

Railways

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to increase efficiency on the rail network.

Theresa Villiers: Sir Roy McNulty published his independent study on rail value for money last month, setting out recommendations for increasing efficiency on the rail network.
	The Department for Transport is working with the rail industry and other stakeholders to reduce the cost of our railways to the taxpayer and the farepayer, taking full account of Sir Roy's study, and plans to publish a detailed policy statement on rail by the end of November 2011.

Railways: Bristol

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with Bristol county council about the future of the Severn Beach Line.

Norman Baker: Bristol city council has discussed with the Department for Transport how the First Great Western franchise agreement works in order to help it better understand options for continuing financial support for additional train services on the Severn Beach line. The terms of the franchise in place require First Great Western to provide a minimum number of services on the route.

Railways: Scotland

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to extend the proposed high speed rail link to Scotland; and what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on this subject.

Philip Hammond: holding answer 21 June 2011
	The Government's aspiration is for a truly national high speed rail network. While there are no detailed plans at this stage for any extension to Scotland, the Government would expect to work, subject to the outcome of the current consultation, with the Scottish Government and others to identify and evaluate options for developing the high speed network and reducing journey times further going forward.

Railways: Theft

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent meetings officials of his Department have had with officials of the Home Department on measures to reduce the incidence of metal theft from the railway network.

Norman Baker: Officials from the Department for Transport met recently with Home Office officials to discuss the issue of metal theft and to explore possible options to combat it. I have also discussed the matter with representatives from Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies.
	Cable theft is a crime which hits the railway particularly hard and causes levels of disruption out of all proportion to the value of the material stolen. That is why the British Transport Police are in the forefront of efforts to tackle the problem, working with Network Rail, train operators, other police forces, the scrap metal industry and others with an interest.
	Methods used to deter and catch the thieves include:
	a dedicated BTP task force with increased patrols, intelligence led policing and additional dedicated officers;
	the use of the Network Rail helicopter, CCTV, forensic marking, trembler alarms and other devices to protect the cable;
	the introduction of new type of cable that is easier to identify and harder to steal; and
	fast response teams to get trains on the move as quickly as possible following an incident.

Rescue Services

Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  which Coastguard Coordination Centre buildings are (a) rented and (b) leased from other landlords;
	(2)  which Coastguard Coordination Centre buildings are in public ownership; and what the monetary value of each such building is;
	(3)  which rented or leased Coastguard Coordination Centre buildings have covenants or restrictions as part of the terms of the lease or rental agreement; and what the terms of the covenants or restrictions are in each case;
	(4)  which Coastguard Coordination Centre buildings in public ownership have covenants or restrictions applicable to any sale; and what the terms of the covenants or restrictions are in each case.

Michael Penning: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		
			 MRCC location Monetary value   (  £  )   (net book value)  (1) Rented from other landlords Leased from other landlords Publicly owned MOTO arrangement Covenants applicable to sale or terms of lease Restrictions applicable to sale or terms of lease Terms of covenant/restrictions 
			 Stornoway 849,057 No No Yes — Yes Yes Use of premises Resale option to original owner in first instance 
		
	
	
		
			          
			 Shetland 609,024 No No—Buildings Yes—Buildings — Yes Yes Land—Use of premises on the land which have to be in good order and repair 
			    Yes—Land Yes—Land owned by Shetland s Islands Council     
			          
			 Aberdeen — — Yes No — No No — 
			          
			 Clyde — — — — Yes No No — 
			          
			 Forth 334,865 No No Yes — No No — 
			          
			 Humber 359,477 No No Yes — — — — 
			          
			 Yarmouth — — — No Yes No No — 
			          
			 Thames 524,223 No No Yes — No No — 
			          
			 London — Licence No No — — — — 
			          
			 Dover 1,932,556 No No Yes  No No  
			          
			 Solent — — Yes No — Yes — Use of premises Repair and maintenance Reinstatement 
			 Portland 3,316,628 No No Yes — No No — 
			          
			 Brixham 368,896 No No Yes — No No — 
			          
			 Falmouth 737,744 No No—Buildings Yes—Buildings — Yes Yes Land—Use of premises on the land Reinstatement of land Reassignment at discretion of Landlord 
			    Yes—Land Yes—Land owned by Carrick District Council     
			          
			 Swansea 839,037 No No—Buildings Yes—Buildings — — — Land—No reassignment of the land. Buildings on the land must yield up in good and substantial repair 
			    Yes—Land Yes—Land owned by Swansea City Council     
			          
		
	
	
		
			 Milford Haven 257,253 No No—Buildings Yes—Buildings — — — Land—Reinstatement of land Reassignment may be possible 
			    Yes—Land Yes—Land owned by Milford Haven Port Authority     
			          
			 Holyhead 691,350 No No Yes — — — Use of premises 
			          
			 Liverpool 1,524,244 No No Yes — No No — 
			          
			 Belfast — — Yes No — Yes — Use of premises 
			 (1) This is based on the Net Book values as held in the MCA's accounts as at 31 March 2011 and is based on either a Depreciated Replacement Cost or an Existing Use Value, which ever is the more appropriate. These are updated annually and will differ from market values.

Rescue Services: Closures

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any of the coastguard stations considered for closure by the Government are funded through the private finance initiative.

Michael Penning: No coastguard premises are funded through the private finance initiative.

Rescue Services: Power Failures

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions coastguard co-ordination centres were unable to operate due to (a) technical and (b) power failures in each of the last five years; for how long services were suspended in each such case; and where co-ordination services were transferred to during each such suspension.

Michael Penning: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) do not capture or record fault data in such a way that directly links to impact on the coastguard service, nor where such failures may lead to another station being asked to take over part of an operational area.
	The MCA do however capture national level data on events classed as ‘grade A’ or ‘priority 1’, these being defined as “Total Failure of a Coastguard Operational System”. However, it is not necessarily the case that any or all such faults will have resulted in the transfer of operational duties to another co-ordination centre.

Rescue Services: Repairs and Maintenance

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on (a) maintenance and (b) planned investment at each Maritime and Coastguard Agency location in Scotland in each of the last five years.

Michael Penning: The information is as follows:
	
		
			 (a) Maintenance spend at each Maritime and Coastguard Agency location in Scotland in each of the last five years 
			 Costs (£) 
			  2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Shetland MRCC 17,056 9,166 20,469 17,044 8,211 
			 Aberdeen MRCC 23,309 6,916 13,664 45,125 103 
			 Forth MRCC 48,090 18,577 32,921 20,541 6,944 
			 Clyde MRCC 99,347 15,244 36,313 9,170 13,764 
			 Stornoway MRCC 89,122 33,815 72,690 14,422 19,102 
			 Total 276,923 83,720 176,057 106,302 48,125 
			 Notes: 1. Costs include: Estate maintenance costs for the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCC) only. Costs for other MCA estate is not captured. For those sites where a Marine Office and MRCC are co-located, costs are not separable and both are included above. 2. Costs excluded: IGT is managed on a national basis rather than by site and it is not possible to separately identify such costs. MCA support contracts are tendered against a requirement to provide service UK-wide (including Northern Ireland). 
		
	
	
		
			 (b) Planned investment at each Maritime and Coastguard Agency location in Scotland in each of the last five years 
			 Costs (£) 
			  2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Shetland MRCC 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Aberdeen MRCC 343 0 0 50,064 66,587 
			 Forth MRCC 0 0 0 5,264 0 
		
	
	
		
			 Clyde MRCC 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Stornoway MRCC 24,245 0 0 5,264 0 
			 Total 24,588 0 0 60,591 66,587 
			 Notes: 1. Costs include: Capital costs for the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCC) only. Costs for other MCA estate is not captured. For those sites where a Marine Office and MRCC are co-located, costs are not separable and both are included above. 2. Costs excluded: ICT is managed on a national basis rather than by site and it is not possible separately to identify such costs.

Trailers: Safety

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the longer semi-trailer feasibility study and impact assessment commissioned by his Department, what assessment he has made of the effect of options 4, 5 and 6 proposed in the consultation on (a) tail swings at roundabouts, (b) susceptibility to cross-winds and (c) safety in the absence of new steering technology.

Michael Penning: holding answer 21 June 2011
	The Department for Transport commissioned research concerning the use of high-volume semi-trailers. From this research a report by the Transport Research Laboratory and Cambridge university addresses these questions.
	The report is entitled:
	“The likely effects of permitting longer semi-trailers in the UK: vehicle specification performance and safety” by I Knight, T Robinson, B Robinson, T Barlow, I McCrae (TRL) and A Odhams, R L Roebuck, C Cheng (Cambridge University)
	A copy of the report has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Regulation

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent progress she has made in reducing the burden of regulation on farmers.

James Paice: We commissioned the independent Task Force on Farming Regulation which reported on 17 May. I warmly welcome the task force's report. The Government are now carefully considering the report's recommendations, and will provide an initial public response this autumn followed by a final response early in 2012.

Circuses: Animal Welfare

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 13 May 2011, Official Report, column 48WS, on performing wild animals, what assessment she has made of the compatibility with European law of any legislative proposal to prohibit the use of wild animals in circuses.

James Paice: The very strong legal advice that we have received is that a total ban on wild animals in circuses might well be seen as disproportionate measure under Article 16 of the European Union Services Directive 2006 and a breach of Article 1 Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights which was incorporated into United Kingdom law by the Human Rights Act 1998.

Environment Protection

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to paragraph 2.21 of her Department's document, The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature, when she expects to hold the first annual Ministerial event to bring together local nature and local enterprise partnerships; and whether she plans to publish a report on the outcome of the event.

Richard Benyon: We will start hosting an annual ministerial event for Local Nature Partnerships from spring 2012 where the first partnerships will be able to come together to share best practice, highlight delivery issues and celebrate success. Further updates on the first event will be available in due course. A brief summary of the event will appear on the DEFRA website.

Environment Protection

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the box on a sustainable approach to low-carbon energy on page 23 of her Department's document, The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature, how the Government plans to work with others to establish a research programme to fill evidence gaps about the effects on the natural environment of the level of infrastructure needed to meet low-carbon energy objectives for 2050.

Richard Benyon: The Government are currently looking at the best way to take forward this research programme. We have had initial discussions with the Living with Environmental Change partnership, including some research councils.
	Given the breadth and inter-disciplinary nature of this research, we would like to involve a mixture of participants including the research councils, industry, academia, NGOs and other research institutions. One option would be for the programme to act as an “umbrella” initiative designed to initiate individual pieces of research to fill evidence gaps, as well as joining up existing work in this area, towards answering strategic questions about what constitutes a sustainable energy mix. Our aim is to understand the environmental capacity for the deployment of low carbon energy to 2050 better, and to use that to help us understand how to make truly sustainable choices.

Environment Protection

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to paragraph 3.11 of her Department's document, The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature, when the Government plans to establish an independent Natural Capital Committee; and what criteria she plans to use in making the appointments to that committee.

Richard Benyon: We are currently developing a set-up project for the Natural Capital Committee, to be run over the summer. We envisage that the Committee will be set up as an expert committee, rather than as a non-departmental public body, and the specific status of the Committee could influence the details of the appointment procedure. We currently envisage that a "non-OCPA" (Office of the Commissioner on Public Appointments) procedure consistent with the OCPA code of practice will be applied.

Environment Protection

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to paragraph 3.28 of her Department's document, The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature, when the Government plans to set up a business-led Ecosystem Markets Task Force; and what criteria she plans to use to make appointments to the task force.

Richard Benyon: When launching the Natural Environment White Paper we were pleased to announce that Ian Cheshire (CEO of Kingfisher Plc) has accepted the Secretary of State's invitation to chair the Ecosystem Markets Task Force. This is an ad hoc group, reporting through the Green Economy Council (a group that has been formed to help business rise to the low-carbon challenge). Task Force members will be selected through discussion between the chair and Government officials, with input from Green Economy Council members. We will hold a first meeting after the summer recess.

Environment Protection

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to paragraph 3.39 of her Department's document, The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature, through which channels she expects the UK to work with the EU Joint Research Council to develop evidence on the environmental effects of products and their supply chains, and to consider future developments in minimum standards under the EU Ecodesign directive.

Richard Benyon: We have already established a close working relationship with the EU Joint Research Council (JRC) through its participation in the Steering Group for the review of PAS 2050, the UK-developed methodology for measuring greenhouse gas emissions across the supply chain.
	We are continuing to build on our existing effective working relationship with the JRC to ensure that we are able to influence developments at EU level in the interests of UK business most constructively. We share reports of evidence projects already undertaken, and use these as a basis for identifying the scope for collaboration on future projects. Such projects might assess the environmental impacts of products and their supply chains, and consider future developments in minimum standards.

Environment Protection

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the resource capacity of local government biodiversity officers to participate in Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs); and what consultation her Department undertook with the Association of Local Government Ecologists on the creation of LNPs.

Richard Benyon: Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs) were requested by many of the organisations responding to the Natural Environment White Paper consultation. In the White Paper, we commit to encouraging and supporting LNPs where local areas wish to establish them. We have suggested that these may consist of people from local authorities, civil society organisations, land managers and people in the community, but we are not enforcing the concept or structure. It is for local areas to decide whether an LNP is the appropriate structure to protect and improve the natural environment local to them. In the course of developing the concept of LNPs and producing guidance for the next steps in establishing them, we consulted local authorities extensively, and visited several to discuss the idea.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's policy is on the adoption of targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions by large companies.

James Paice: The current DEFRA/DECC guidance to help organisations measure and report their greenhouse gas emissions recommends that organisations set a greenhouse gas emission reduction target. This guidance is available at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/economy/business-efficiency/reporting/

Recycling: Bottles

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will assess the likely effects on levels of recycling of the introduction of a bottle deposit return scheme;
	(2)  if she will make a cost-benefit assessment of establishing a bottle deposit return scheme.

Richard Benyon: Our waste policy review included an analysis of the costs and benefits of implementing a bottle deposit system, based on the CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) report “Have we got the bottle?” Details of the analysis will be published later this year.
	We concluded that although such a scheme could increase recycling and reduce litter, its estimated running costs are very high, and much higher than alternative measures. In view of this, we have decided not to take forward the option of bottle deposit schemes for the time being, and concentrate on other ways to increase recycling and address litter.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Gambia: Overseas Aid

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what priorities his Department has established for its aid to Northern Gambia; and how much aid it plans to allocate there each year from 2011-12 to 2014-15.

Stephen O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) has been winding down its bilateral aid programme in The Gambia. The recent review of all DFID's bilateral aid programmes concluded that we should close the Gambia programme in 2011, as UK aid could have greater impact elsewhere.
	We will ensure that arrangements are in place to incorporate and sustain the gains made through UK bilateral support as part of other donors' programming. The UK will continue to provide financial support to The Gambia through our increasing share of multilateral programming. We do not have planned allocations for the multilateral organisations for The Gambia in future financial years, but the information for previous years can be found on the DFID website.

Zimbabwe: Overseas Aid

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he had with the government of Zimbabwe prior to deciding on the allocation of aid to that country.

Andrew Mitchell: As we developed plans for our programme to Zimbabwe, I held personal discussions with the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Minister for Education of Zimbabwe.
	My officials have regular contact with Zimbabwean Ministers and senior officials to ensure the best possible coherence with the plans of the Zimbabwe Government.
	It remains the case that no UK development funds are passed through the Government. All our programmes are delivered through trusted partners such as UNICEF, the Africa Development Bank and NGO's.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what timescale she has set for the establishment in Scotland of an inspection system for private providers of higher and further education under the student visa scheme.

Damian Green: In line with our commitment to ensure all privately funded Tier 4 sponsors are inspected by a publicly recognised authority by the end of 2012, we announced on 13 June that the Quality Assurance Agency and the Independent Schools Inspectorate would extend their activities to cover privately funded providers. The Quality Assurance Agency already inspect Universities in Scotland and will offer inspections covering privately funded providers of higher education in all parts of the UK, including Scotland. We are currently in discussion with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education on their potential role in the establishment of an inspection system for private providers of further education in Scotland and hope to make an announcement on this shortly.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates her Department made (a) written and (b) oral contact with HM Inspector of Education in Scotland to discuss the inspection of private providers of higher and further education; and whether any agreement to inspect private providers will require primary or secondary legislation.

Damian Green: Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education has been an approved educational oversight body since the inception of Tier 4. On 22 March 2011 we announced a tightening of the list of approved bodies to the eight listed bodies that operate the regulatory framework for publicly funded providers and independent schools. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education, as the statutory authority in Scotland, remained an approved inspection body for Tier 4.
	We are currently working closely with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education on their potential role in the establishment of an inspection system for private providers of further education in Scotland and hope to announce on this shortly. Oral contact was first made on 4 April 2011 and first written contact (via e-mail) was on 12 April 2011.

Fixed Penalties

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance her Department has issued to police forces on the issuing of a (a) fixed penalty notice, (b) non-endorsable fixed penalty notice and (c) penalty notice for disorder in the last two years.

Nick Herbert: The Home Office has not issued such guidance in the last two years. Guidance on fixed penalties for offences in respect of a vehicle was issued in 2006 and is currently under review by a working group established by the Association of Chief Police Officers.
	The penalty notice for disorder (PND) scheme is the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice. That Department issued revised operational guidance to police forces on 16 July 2009. This restricts the use of PNDs for retail theft and criminal damage to first time offenders who are not substance mis-users and where the value of stolen goods or damage does not exceed £100 (retail theft) or £300 (criminal damage). Further guidance was issued to police forces on 23 July 2009 restricting the use of PNDs for cannabis possession to first time offenders, as part of the police three-stage escalation enforcement procedure for the offence. Guidance was also issued in January 2010 which informed police forces of the revocation of the prescribed form of the PND.

Fixed Penalties

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for which (a) public order offences, (b) traffic offences and (c) other offences a fixed penalty notice, a non-endorsable fixed penalty notice or a penalty notice for disorder may be issued by a police officer.

Nick Herbert: The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 allows a police officer to issue a penalty notice for disorder (PND) for the fixed amount of £80 for the offence under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 of ‘Using words, conduct likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress’.
	Currently there are 25 other offences available under the PND scheme. A full list of PND offences is as follows.
	The Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 allows the police to issue a fixed penalty notice for any offence in respect of a vehicle that has been made a fixed penalty offence by order of the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The full list is contained in Schedule 3 to the Act.
	Penalty Notice for Disorder offences
	Higher Tier Offences (£80)
	Wasting police time, giving false report
	Sending false message/persistently use a public electronic communications network in order to cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety
	Knowingly gives a false alarm to a person acting on behalf of a fire and rescue authority
	Using words/conduct likely to cause fear of harassment, alarm or distress
	Fire or throw firework(s)
	Drunk and disorderly in a public place
	Destroying or damaging property (under £300 and may only be issued on one occasion)
	Retail Theft (under £100 and may only be issued on one occasion)
	Breach of fireworks curfew (11 pm to 7 am)
	Possession of a category 4 firework
	Possession by a person under 18 of an adult firework in a public place
	Sells or attempts to sell alcohol to a person who is drunk
	Supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to a person aged under 18
	Sale of alcohol anywhere to a person under 18
	Buys or attempts to buy alcohol on behalf of person under 18
	Buys or attempts to buy alcohol for consumption on relevant premises by person under 18
	Delivery of alcohol to person under 18 or allowing such delivery
	Possess a controlled drug of Class B—cannabis/cannabis resin. (May only be issued to offenders 18 years or over.)
	Lower Tier Offences (£50)
	Trespass on a railway
	Throwing stones/matter/thing at a train or railway
	Drunk in a highway, other public place or licensed premises
	Consumption of alcohol in designated public place, contrary to requirement by constable not to do so
	Deposit and leave litter
	Consumption of alcohol by a person under 18 on relevant premises
	Allowing consumption of alcohol by a person under 18 on relevant premises
	Buying or Attempting to buy alcohol by a person under 18

Immigration

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost to the public purse of a judicial review of an immigration decision was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Damian Green: The estimated average cost of a judicial review up to the permission stage is approximately £1,500 to £2,000. Costs post permission can vary significantly after that according to the complexity of the case.

Immigration: Asylum

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for judicial review of decisions made by her Department in respect of immigration and asylum cases have been initiated in the last 12 months.

Damian Green: Figures for England and Wales from the Treasury Solicitor show that, in relation to immigration and asylum cases, 7,620 judicial reviews were opened over the 12 month period between June 2010 and May 2011.

Police: Pensions

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers working in the Calderdale division will be affected by proposed changes to police pensions.

Nick Herbert: As at 31 March 2010, there were 365 full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers in Calderdale basic command unit. Individual officers will have differing personal circumstances, making it impossible to assess how many might be affected by any future changes to police pensions.

Police: Sonae

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the date was of each occasion on which police officers were called to the Sonae factory in Kirkby in the last 10 years; and what the cost of each such call out was;
	(2)  on what date police investigations into the Sonae factory in Kirkby were initiated in the last 10 years; and what the cost was of each such investigation.

Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not collect this information. Operational decisions regarding the deployment of officers and use of resources are matters for the chief constable of the relevant police force.

Police: South Wales

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on equipping police forces in South Wales with Lantern fingerprint devices in the last 12 months.

Nick Herbert: Within South Wales Gwent police and Dyfed and Powys police both use the Lantern Service, but South Wales police do not.
	The cost of providing the Lantern service to these forces for the past 12 months is £25,071. This has been funded by the National Policing Improvement Agency.

Police: Travel

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) free and (b) concessionary travel arrangements are available to police officers; and what the cost to the public purse was of such arrangements in the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not collect the data requested. Such arrangements are a matter for agreement between the transport provider and the relevant police authority.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

British Council: Finance

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by how much his Department's grant to the British Council will change in percentage terms in each year to 2015.

Alistair Burt: The cumulative percentage change in the Grant In Aid budget from the British Council's 2010-11 budget is: -4.44% for 2011-12, -9.93% for 2012-13, -16.04% for 2013-14 and -22.07% for 2014-15.
	The annual percentage change is: -4.44% for 2011-12 -5.50% for 2012-13,-6.11% for 2013-14 and -6.03% for 2014-15.

COE Commissioner for Human Rights

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the functions of the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights during the UK chairmanship of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers.

David Lidington: We do not have any plans to review the functions of the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights during the UK chairmanship of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers.

Council of Europe

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters were discussed at his recent meeting with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

David Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) discussed with Secretary-General Jagland the UK's objectives for our chairmanship of the Council of Europe from November 2011 to May 2012. These include reform of the European Court of Human Rights and wider reform of the Council of Europe. He also stressed our support for budget discipline.

Council of Europe: Finance

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 19 May 2011, Official Report, columns 283-4W, on the Council of Europe: finance, if he will ensure that no further voluntary contributions are made by the UK to the Council of Europe or its institutions.

David Lidington: Voluntary contributions are given to the Council of Europe by member states for a range of activities, and can play an important role in the improvement of human rights, rule of law and democracy in Europe. We will continue to judge requests for voluntary contributions on their merits, including whether they generate sufficient value for money and contribute towards our foreign policy priorities.

Council of Europe: Finance

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will use the occasion of UK's chairmanship of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers to (a) advocate a reduction in the budget of the Council of Europe and its institutions and (b) review the current funding arrangements and the proportion of funding provided by the UK.

David Lidington: The Government are seeking to reduce the cost of our membership for all international organisations to which we belong. We communicated this objective to member state colleagues at the Council of Europe in June 2010. We will continue to work with other member states, the Secretary-General and others in our effort to deliver this objective.

Council of Europe: Manpower

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals were employed by the institutions of the Council of Europe on the latest date for which figures are available; and what proportion of the overall workforce of those institutions that figure represents.

David Lidington: As of 31 May 2011 there was a total of 2,151 permanent staff working in the institutions of the Council of Europe, 252 of whom were UK nationals. This is 11.7% of the total.

Crown Relocations

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 24 May 2011, Official Report, column 584W, on Crown Relocations, on what date the contract with Crown Relocations was signed; on what date it started; and on what date it will expire.

David Lidington: The contract was signed on 15 July 2004 and commenced on 30 July 2004.
	An extension was signed on 12 March 2007 for the period 1 May 2007 to 30 April 2010.
	A further extension was signed on 21 October 2009 for 1 May 2010 to 30 April 2011.
	Another extension is in the process of being signed which will take the contract up to 30 April 2012. This will allow time for the current re-procurement activity to be completed.

Departmental Parental Leave

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy for staff is in respect of (a) eligibility criteria and (b) rates of pay for (i) maternity and (ii) adoption leave.

Henry Bellingham: The FCO offers the statutory package of paid and unpaid leave for maternity and adoption. As an alternative to statutory provisions, the FCO offers Contractual Maternity Pay (CMP) or Contractual Adoption Pay (CAP) which pays full salary during a staff member's 26 weeks' Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML) or Ordinary Adoption Leave (OAL).
	Staff must satisfy the following criteria in order to qualify for CMP or CAP:
	they are not employed on a standby, or short-notice appointment;
	they have been continuously employed by the FCO for at least one year at the point when they start their OML or OAL;
	they have complied with the notice requirements;
	they have not been on SUPL later than the 26 weeks preceding the 15(th) week before the expected week of confinement (EWC) for OML (unless they are returning on the date originally agreed for their return in which case this does not apply);
	they have confirmed in writing when giving notice that they intend to return to work after maternity leave or adoption leave and;
	they have confirmed in writing when giving notice that they will repay payments for CMP or CAP (over and above the amount equivalent to Statutory Maternity or Adoption Pay) if they do not return to work.

EU Law

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with (a) the European Commission and (b) his EU counterparts on the level of regulation in EU legislation.

David Lidington: My Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) ministerial colleagues and I speak regularly with members of the European Commission and my EU counterparts on the level of regulation in EU legislation.
	The UK's strategy for EU growth, outlined in ‘Let's Choose Growth’ published in March 2011 aims, among other things, to agree a new target to reduce the overall EU regulatory burden over the life of the Commission and make sure that all regulatory costs on businesses are offset by savings elsewhere.

Iran: Sanctions

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to prevent Iranian-owned ships circumventing sanctions.

William Hague: On 23 May, the EU strengthened its sanctions against Iran by adding over 100 more entities to its regulation, including 40 or so entities owned or controlled by Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines. The Prime Minister, Minister for Europe and I have held discussions with partners about the implementation of these measures. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials raise our concerns about possible sanctions breaches with the relevant overseas authorities as and when they arrive.

Pakistan: Taliban

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the number of Taliban fighters on the territory of Pakistan.

William Hague: Given the highly complex dynamics of the conflict in Afghanistan and the porous border with Pakistan, it is impossible to provide numbers of the Afghan Taliban presence in Pakistan.

Prisoners: Voting Rights

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed the voting rights of prisoners with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

David Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) reminded the Secretary-General of our concerns regarding the voting rights of prisoners during their meeting on 7 June.

Saudi Arabia: Politics and Government

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions he has discussed proposals for democratic reform with his Saudi counterpart.

William Hague: I have raised reform and other issues connected with the ‘Arab Spring' with Prince Saud, most recently during Prince Saud's visit to the UK in March.

Somalia

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria the Government applies in determining whether to recognise a state; what assessment he has made of the merits of recognising Somaliland as a state against each criterion; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: The normal criteria for recognition as a state remain as described in the written answer dated 16 November 1989, Official Report, column 494, by then Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr. Sainsbury.
	The UK keeps its policy under review in light of these criteria and various UN Security Council Resolutions on Somalia, which reaffirm its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia.

Sudan: Investment

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had on private investment in Sudan.

Henry Bellingham: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) has had no specific discussions on private investment. However, the UK has no barriers to private investment in Sudan and the British Government are strongly supporting the initiative by Norway and Turkey to co-host an international investment and engagement conference for Sudan later in the year. The Foreign Secretary did discuss trade issues with Sudanese Foreign Minister Karti when they met on 6 June. As the Secretary of State made clear on that day, it is important for the UK to see both Sudan and South Sudan emerge at the end of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement as two economically viable and co-operating states, living in peace and stability.

Sudan: Overseas Trade

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his US counterparts on trade restrictions in Sudan.

Henry Bellingham: I met with Johnnie Carson, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs on 29 May. I made clear that the sanctions imposed by the US continue to be a serious block to British banks to operate in Sudan, causing problems for British NGO groups and staff, and other organisations to utilise the international banking system when dealing with or living in Sudan. US regulations contain a number of exemptions and authorisations for activities and transactions that would otherwise be prohibited under U.S. sanctions against Sudan, particularly with respect to humanitarian assistance. I have asked for greater clarity on these exemptions for the benefit of the British Banking Association, and its members. We understand that post-independence these restrictions will not apply to South Sudan.

Syria: Oil

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the governments of (a) Germany, (b) Italy, (c) France and (d) the Netherlands on steps to prevent the import of oil from Syria.

Alistair Burt: We have had no discussions with Germany, Italy, France or the Netherlands on steps to prevent the import of oil from Syria.

Syria: Sanctions

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to impose further sanctions on Syria; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Government, together with our EU partners, are working to expand restrictive measures on the Syrian regime with a view to achieving a fundamental change of policy should the Syrian leadership choose not to change swiftly its current path of violent repression against the civilian population.
	The Government have taken a prominent role in introducing an EU travel ban and assets freeze on 23 individuals, including President Assad, in the Syrian regime. We utterly condemn the indiscriminate violence perpetrated by the Syrian security forces against peaceful demonstrators. President Assad's speech on 20 June was disappointing and unconvincing. If President Assad is to restore any credibility the Syrian people need to see concrete action, not vague promises. We have been clear that rapid and real implementation of substantial reforms, addressing the legitimate demands of peaceful Syrian protesters, is what is urgently needed. There must also be an immediate end to violence by Syrian security forces, the release of all political prisoners, an end to the torture and abuse of those who remain in detention and access given to international humanitarian agencies.

Turks and Caicos Islands

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 9 December 2010, Official Report, columns 40-41WS, on Turks and Caicos Islands, what recent assessment he has made of the likelihood of the Turks and Caicos Islands meeting the milestones prior to 2012.

Henry Bellingham: There has not been sufficient progress to date against the milestones to conclude that they will be met prior to 2012. However, following a visit to London last week by a Turks and Caicos Islands delegation, good progress is now being made on the new Turks and Caicos Islands constitution.

Turks and Caicos Islands: Politics and Government

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the likely timetable for the restoration of self-government to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Henry Bellingham: It remains our intention to hold elections in 2012 subject to progress against the milestones that I and the Minister of State, Department for International Development (Mr Duncan), identified in December.

TREASURY

Air Passenger Duty

Daniel Poulter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of the introduction of regional air passenger duty rates on airlines operating in London and the South East.

Justine Greening: The Government undertook a consultation on air passenger duty from 23 March to 17 June 2011. The Government will consider the views and evidence submitted by interested parties and will publish a summary of responses in the autumn.

Big Society Bank

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what terms loans are to be offered by the big society bank; and whether such loans will be on a commercial basis.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
	The big society bank's mission is to help grow a sustainable social investment market as set out in the Government's social investment strategy published on 14 February 2011. To this end, the BSB will look to achieve returns against a double bottom line of social and financial impact. The big society bank is an independent organisation and will develop its own investment strategy.

Departmental Buildings

Jesse Norman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the address is of each office property occupied by his Department outside Greater London which it (a) owns and (b) rents; what the level of utilisation is of each such property; what the capital value is of each such property it owns; and what the (i) annual rental cost and (ii) length of lease agreement is of each rented property.

Justine Greening: HM Treasury currently rents office accommodation in Rosebery Court, Norwich from the Cabinet Office. Under a recent machinery of government change initiative, Cabinet Office assumed responsibility for the whole of that building. Treasury is in the process of reducing its holding there and is in discussion with Cabinet Office to agree final space allocation and rental figures. It is anticipated that this action will be completed in the next two-three months.

Insolvency

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was returned to HM Revenue and Customs and its predecessors as a result of insolvency proceedings in each of the last 10 years.

David Gauke: The information requested is not available centrally and could be researched only at disproportionate cost.
	HMRC only initiates bankruptcy or winding up action where it believes this is the best course of action to protect the interests of the Exchequer in respect of a particular debt.
	HMRC does not take such action lightly but will not hesitate to do so when that is the right way to protect tax revenues.

Landfill Tax

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the potential effect on local communities of any reduction in the rate of landfill tax; and if he will make a statement.

Justine Greening: The Government are committed to increasing the standard rate of landfill tax by £8 per tonne each year until 2014, and to ensuring that rate will not fall below £80 per tonne from 2014 to 2020.
	A clear trajectory for the rate of landfill tax provides businesses and local authorities with confidence to make long term investments in alternative waste management facilities that will ultimately benefit both the environment and local communities.

Northern Rock

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to complete the sale of Northern Rock plc.

Mark Hoban: The development and execution of strategies for disposing of the Government's shareholding in Northern Rock is part of UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI) remit. UKFI has been looking at the full range of alternatives for divestment, and has been exploring options based on maximising value for the taxpayer, maintaining financial stability and paying due regard to promoting competition. UKFI will provide advice on the future of Northern Rock plc to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who will make the final decision.
	The Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), launched the sale process of Northern Rock plc on 15 June in his Mansion House speech. Any party, including mutuals could enter a bid for Northern Rock. At this stage all viable options remain available for further consideration including remutualisation; however, a sale is being explored as the first option. No timeframe has been set for the return of Northern Rock plc to the private sector. The Chancellor will take a decision when there is a proposition in the taxpayers' best interests.

Northern Rock

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential effects of mutualisation of Northern Rock plc on the level of return to the public purse which may be achieved.

Mark Hoban: The development and execution of strategies for disposing of the Government's shareholding in Northern Rock is part of UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI) remit. UKFI has been looking at the full range of alternatives for divestment, and has been exploring options based on maximising value for the taxpayer, maintaining financial stability and paying due regard to promoting competition.
	This included evaluating the return of Northern Rock to the mutual sector by combining it with an existing mutual or through standalone remutualisation. In conducting this analysis, UKFI, Northern Rock and their advisers Deutsche Bank assessed the value to the taxpayer that would arise from pursuing different mutual options.
	As announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), in his Mansion House Speech on 15 June the analysis conducted to date has demonstrated that the best value for the taxpayer is likely to be achieved by selling Northern Rock. This could be to a mutual organisation. At this stage all viable options remain available for further consideration including remutualisation; however, a sale is being explored as the first option.

Tax Allowances: Uprating

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 15 June 2011, Official Report, column 805W, on personal taxation, if he will estimate the difference in the personal taxation payable by an individual in each tax band attributable to indexation of personal tax allowance by(a)the consumer prices index and(b)the retail prices index in each year from 2012-13 to 2015-16, taking account of the increases in the personal allowance in 2012-13 and future years.

David Gauke: Budget 2011 announced that the personal allowance for those aged under 65 would increase by £630 from April 2012, taking it from £7,475 in 2011-12 to £8,105 in 2012-13. The personal allowance will increase from 2013-14 by at least the equivalent of the Retail Prices Index (RPI) until the Government's goal of increasing the personal allowance to £10,000 is achieved.
	Taking account of this announcement means there will be no alternative indexation arrangements on the level of the personal allowance in 2012-13. Starting from the announced £8,105 personal allowance in 2012-13, hypothetical estimates of the maximum increase in income tax liability attributable to indexation of the personal allowance for those aged under 65 only by CPI rather than RPI from 2013-14 are shown in the table. Separate estimates are provided for basic rate, higher rate and additional rate taxpayers.
	Calculations assume income refers to employment income only.
	
		
			  Marginal tax rate 
			  Basic rate Higher rate Additional rate  (1) 
			 2013-14 £18 £0(1) to £36 £0 
			 2014-15 £44 £0(1) to £88 £0 
			 2015-16 £74 £0(1) to £148 £0 
			 (1) The personal allowance is reduced by £1 for every £2 of income above £100,000. Therefore additional rate and some higher rate taxpayers will have a personal allowance of zero. 
		
	
	Ignoring the announcement that the personal allowance will rise to £8,105 in 2012-13, hypothetical impacts on tax liabilities are as given in previous answer of 15 June 2011, Official Report, column 805W, on personal taxation.
	These estimates are based on the Office for Budget Responsibility's March 2011 forecast assumptions for RPI and CPI.

Taxation: Fraud

David Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the incidences of fraud and error recorded by HM Revenue and Customs were attributable to (a) customer error, (b) administrative error and (c) fraud in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs do not record data on fraud and error in this way and therefore it is not possible to provide an answer to the question without incurring disproportionate cost.

Taxation: Repayments

David Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the average sum recovered by HM Revenue and Customs was from each individual taxpayer or tax credit claimant in respect of (a) unpaid tax, (b) overpaid tax credit, (c) interest and (d) penalties in (i) 2008-09, (ii) 2009-10 and (iii) 2010-11;
	(2)  how much of (a) unpaid tax and (b) overpaid tax credits were repaid following a (i) appeal and (ii) complaint in the last year for which figures are available.

David Gauke: The information is not available and could be researched only at disproportionate cost.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will assess the factors underlying the difference between the estimates made by private sector credit reference agencies and those of the Electoral Commission of the number of unregistered voters.

Mark Harper: The Cabinet Office is funding the Electoral Commission to carry out research to provide a robust national measure of completeness and accuracy of the registers. This study will report towards the end of 2011. Further research will be conducted to measure completeness and accuracy both before and after the move to individual electoral registration.

Voting Rights: Prisoners

Priti Patel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2011, Official Report, column 752W, on voting rights: prisoners, if he will request that the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers postpone any action until after the UK Chairmanship commences in November 2011.

Mark Harper: The European Court of Human Rights' decision in Greens v. MT obliges the Government to
	“introduce legislative proposals to amend section 3 of the 1983 Act and, if appropriate, section 8 of the 2002 Act”
	by 11 October 2011. The Committee of Ministers, which is responsible for supervising the implementation of the Court's judgments, has no power to change deadlines fixed by the Court. The UK will provide the Committee of Ministers with an update in advance of their next meeting in September.

Voting Rights: Prisoners

Priti Patel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2011, Official Report, column 752W, on voting rights: prisoners, what the latest date is on which the Government could introduce legislation to fulfil the requirements of the judgements on prisoner voting rights.

Mark Harper: Pursuant to my answer of 14 June 2011, Official Report, column 752W, in the words of the Greens and MT judgment of the European Court of Human Rights, which became final on 11 April, the Government has six months to “bring forward legislative proposals” to end the current blanket ban on prisoners voting. The Government are considering the next steps and I will inform the House when decisions on the way forward have been reached.

Voting Rights: Prisoners

Priti Patel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2011, Official Report, column 752W, on voting rights: prisoners, whether he has identified any legal and constitutional mechanisms which would enable the UK to maintain its existing position on the voting rights of prisoners.

Mark Harper: The ECtHR found in the case of Hirst (No.2) v. UK, that the current blanket ban on convicted and sentenced prisoners voting was contrary to Article 3, Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to free and fair elections). The more recent Greens v. MT judgment gave the UK six months from 11( )February 2011 to “;bring forward legislative proposals” to end the current blanket ban on prisoners voting.
	The UK is obliged to implement judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Article 46 Section 1 of the Convention, states that each signatory shall
	"undertake to abide by the final judgment of the Court in any case to which they are parties."

Voting Rights: Prisoners

Priti Patel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2011, Official Report, columns 488-9W, on voting rights: prisoners, if he will assess the effect of the absence of details of the legislative changes which would be required to satisfy the Court in the judgments made by the European Court of Human Rights in respect of the voting rights of prisoners; and if he will ask the Committee of Ministers to consider a referral under Article 46(3) to provide further clarity on the interpretation of the judgments.

Mark Harper: The European Court of Human Rights judgment in Greens and MT v. UK recognises that a wide range of policy alternatives are available to the UK to achieve compliance with the convention.
	The Government are considering the next steps and I will inform the House when decisions on the way forward have been reached.

HEALTH

Alcoholic Drinks: Children

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were admitted to hospital following a suspected diagnosis of alcohol abuse in the last quarter for which figures are available.

Anne Milton: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			 Number of finished admission episodes  (1)   with a primary diagnosis of selected ICD-10 codes  (2)  , by cause code  (3)   for those aged under 18, for 2009-10 Q4   -   January, February and  March 2010 
			 Activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			 ICD-10 code X65 Other Total 
			 F10.1 0 14 14 
			 F10 (excluding F10.1) and K70 1 777 778 
			 T51.0 21 20 41 
		
	
	
		
			 T51 (excluding T51.0) 11 13 24 
			 Total 33 824 857 
			 (1) Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. (2) Primary diagnosis The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. ICD-10 codes used: F10.1 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol, harmful use F10.0 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol, acute intoxication F10.2 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol, dependence syndrome F10.3 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol, withdrawal state F10.4 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol, withdrawal state with delirium F10.5 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol, psychotic disorder F10.6 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol, amnesic syndrome F10.7 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol, residual and late onset psychotic disorder F10.8 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol, other mental and behavioural disorders F10.9 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol, unspecified mental and behavioural disorders K70 Alcoholic liver disease T51.-0 Toxic effect of alcohol T51.1 Toxic effect of alcohol, Methanol T51.2 Toxic effect of alcohol, 2-Propanol T51.3 Toxic effect of alcohol, Fusel oil T51.8 Toxic effect of alcohol, other alcohol T51.9 Toxic effect of alcohol, unspecified alcohol (3) Cause code A supplementary code that indicates the nature of any external cause of injury, poisoning or other adverse effects. Only the first external cause code which is coded within the episode is counted in HES. Cause code used: X65—Intentional self-poisoning by exposure to alcohol Note: Data quality: HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care

Breast Cancer: Screening

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  with which primary care trusts his Department is working to implement the plan to move from film to digital breast screening services; and in what capacity;
	(2)  whether he has set a deadline for the completion of the move from film to digital breast screening services.

Paul Burstow: We are in the process of extending the national health service breast screening programme (BSP) to women aged 47 to 73. The “Operating Framework for the NHS in England 2011/12” confirms that all local screening programmes should continue this extension.
	One of the criteria for extension of the NHS BSP is that local screening programmes should have at least one digital mammography (DM) machine in place before they begin to extend. As at the end of May, 83% of local programmes had at least one DM machine and 35% were fully digital.
	We have advised programmes to move to DM as quickly as possible as the independent Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer Screening has said that running both film and DM together is inefficient.

Clinical Physiologists: Regulation

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on introducing statutory regulation of clinical physiology.

Anne Milton: Following a search of the Department's correspondence and parliamentary database for 2011 we have identified eight letters and four parliamentary questions relating to the statutory regulation of clinical physiology.

Departmental Buildings

Jesse Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the address is of each office property occupied by his Department outside Greater London which it (a) owns and (b) rents; what the level of utilisation is of each such property; what the capital value is of each such property it owns; and what the (i) annual rental cost and (ii) length of lease agreement is of each rented property.

Simon Burns: Details of office property owned or leased by the Department outside Greater London are as follows:
	
		
			 Address Basis Utilisation (percentage) Capital value (£) Annual rent (£) Length of lease (years) Lease end date 
			 Hexagon House, Pynes Hill, Rydon Lane, Exeter, EX2 5SE Freehold 93.70 (1)2,156,157 n/a n/a n/a 
			 1st Floor Hembury House, Pynes Hill, Rydon Lane, Exeter, EX2 5AZ Lease 90.50 n/a (2)129,353 2 25 September 2013 
			 Units 8 and 9 Witney Way, Boldon Business Park, Tyne And Wear,  NE35 9PE Lease 59 n/a (2)39,999 21 30 September 2014 
			 Prospect House, Fishing Line Road, Redditch, Worcestershire, B97 6EW Lease 87.60 n/a (2)153,606 7 16 January 2013 
			 1st Floor Block B, Tavistock House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HR Lease 95 n/a (2)111,039 10 31 October 2012 
			 Vantage,40 Aire Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS14HT Serviced office 98 n/a (3)— 5 31 March 2015 
			 1st and 2nd Floors, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS14HY Serviced office 98 n/a (3)— 5 31 December 2015 
			 1st and 2nd Floors, 1 Whitehall Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4HR Serviced office 98 n/a (3)— 5 31 March 2015 
			 Castleview House, East Lane, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 2DN Memorandum of terms of occupation 100 n/a (2)55,000 3 31 October 2012 
			 Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds,  LS2 7UE Memorandum of terms of occupation 75 n/a (2)5,813,000 20 31 March 2018 
			 Premier House, 60 Caversham Road, Reading, RG1 7EB Lease 66 n/a (2)368,000 5 29 April 2015 
			 3, Piccadilly Place, Manchester,  M1 3BN Memorandum of terms of occupation 100 n/a £88,000 1 31 March 2012 
			 3rd Floor. Block C, Cumberland Place, Park Row, Nottingham NG16HJ Memorandum of terms of occupation 100 n/a (2)165,716 4 16 February 2015 
			 (1) At 2005 prices (2) Incl VAT (3) Cannot be split out, all inclusive rate including utilities 
		
	
	The properties include serviced accommodation and memorandum of terms of occupation where the Department is renting space from another Government body.

Departmental Parental Leave

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's policy for staff is in respect of (a) eligibility criteria and (b) rates of pay for (i) maternity and (ii) adoption leave.

Simon Burns: The Department's policies in respect of maternity leave and adoption leave are set out in the relevant current documents on the Department's intranet, Delphi. Those documents will be placed in the Library.
	Eligibility for maternity pay for departmental staff is as follows:
	The member of staff must complete an application form making a statement that they intend to return to work in the Department after their maternity leave, and must agree to repay any contractual payment made during that period if they fail to return. The member of staff must be in paid service, at the time the maternity leave begins, and must have completed at least one year's such service within the civil service. That service need not be continuous. (Staff in receipt of sick pay at pension rate are not regarded as being in paid service).
	The rates of pay allowed to eligible staff for maternity leave are 26 weeks maternity leave on full pay and a subsequent 13 weeks paid at statutory maternity pay (SMP) rates for the period of continuous absence before and after childbirth. Even if ineligible for paid maternity leave, a member of staff still has a statutory right to 52 weeks' unpaid leave, and may qualify for SMP or maternity allowance.
	Similarly, eligibility for adoption leave in the Department is as follows:
	The member of staff should be newly matched with a child for adoption by an approved adoption agency and have a 'matching certificate' from that agency. The member of staff should complete an application form stating that they intend to return to work in the Department after the adoption leave period, and agree to repay any payment made during that period if they fail to return. The member of staff must be in paid service at the time that the adoption leave begins and have completed at least one year's such service within the civil service. The latter time need not be continuous.
	If the staff member has not completed one year's service but has completed at least 26 weeks service, they will still be entitled to a reduced period of paid adoption leave. In these circumstances, up to 25 days' paid leave will be allowed when the child first comes under the staff member's full time care. A portion of this leave may be allocated for situations in advance of the start of full-time care. Again, staff in receipt of sick pay at pension rate are not regarded as being in paid service.
	Rates of pay, allowed to fully eligible staff, for adoption leave are 26 weeks' paid adoption leave on full contractual pay , a subsequent 13 weeks paid at statutory adoption pay (SAP) and 13 weeks' unpaid leave for the period of continuous leave before and after adoption.

Departmental Regulation

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what regulations his Department introduced between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011; and what the estimated costs of implementation for those affected were in each case.

Simon Burns: The regulations from 1 March to 31 May, which have been implemented by the Department are in the table.
	The majority of regulations are public sector, therefore are zero cost. Those regulations which could potentially impact business or civil society organisations impose no additional costs.
	
		
			 Statutory Instruments Title Number 
			 The Personal Injuries (NHS Charges) (Amounts) Amendment Regulations 2011 2011/520 
			 The National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Amendment Regulations 2011 2011/518 
			 The National Health Services (Dental Charges) Amendment Regulations 2011 2011/519 
			 The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2011 2011/591 
			 The National Health Service Trusts (Originating Capital) Order 2011 2011/624 
		
	
	
		
			 The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 2011/680 
			 The Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 2011 2011/689 
			 The National Assistance (Sums for Personal Requirements) Amendment (England) Regulations 2011 2011/724 
			 The Walsall Hospitals National Health Service Trust (Establishment) Amendment Order 2011 2011/791 
			 The Derbyshire Community Health Services National Health Service Trust (Establishment) Order 2011 2011/798 
			 The Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare National Health Service Trust (Establishment) Order 2011 2011/799 
			 The Leeds Community Healthcare National Health Service Trust (Establishment) Order 2011 2011/800 
			 The Lincolnshire Community Health Services National Health Service Trust (Establishment) Order 2011 2011/802 
			 The Solent National Health Service Trust (Establishment) Order 2011 2011/804 
			 The Wirral Community National Health Service Trust (Establishment) Order 2011 2011/805 
			 The Eastern and Coastal Kent Community Health National Health Service Trust (Establishment) Amendment Order 2011 2011/890 
			 The Hereford Hospitals National Health Service Trust (Establishment) Amendment Order 2011 2011/891 
			 The Medicinal Products (Herbal Remedies) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 2011/915 
			 The Medicinal Products (Herbal Remedies) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 2011/915 
			 The Hull and Goole Port Health Authority Order 2011 2011/939 
			 The Solihull Primary Care Trust (Establishment) Amendment Order 2011 2011/1084 
			 The National Health Service (Primary Dental Services) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2011 2011/1182 
			 The Northampton General Hospital National Health Service Trust (Establishment) Amendment Order 2011 2011/1183 
			 The Whittington Hospital National Health Service Trust (Establishment) Amendment Order 2011 2011/1184 
			 The East Sussex Hospitals National Health Service Trust (Establishment) and the Eastbourne Hospitals National Health Service Trust and Hastings and Rother National Health Service Trust (Dissolution) Amendment Order 20T1 2011/1185 
			 The Contracting Out (Local Authorities Social Services Functions) (England) Order 2011  
			 The Health Act 2009 (Commencement No.3) (Amendment) Order 2011 2011/1255 (C.49) 
			 The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion (Display and Specialist Tobacconists) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 2011/1256 
			 The Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Community Healthcare National Health Service Trust (Establishment) Amendment Order 2011 2011/1276 
			 The Medicines (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2011 2011/1327

Drugs: Misuse

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether he has had discussions with the chief superintendants overseeing the areas covered by the Randomised Injectable Opioid Treatment Trial pilots conducted by the National Addiction Centre on the effects of the pilots on offending rates; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether his Department plans to tender for new injectable treatment contracts in the next three months; and what (a) methods and (b) data his Department has used to assess the model used in the Randomised Injectable Opioid Treatment Trial conducted by the National Addiction Centre;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the (a) long-term health outcomes for individuals, (b) effect on overdose rates and (c) long-term financial cost-benefit to the NHS arising from the Randomised Injectable Opioid Treatment Trial pilots conducted by the National Addiction Centre; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: The results of the Randomised Injectable Opioid Treatment Trial were published in May 2010 in The Lancet (Lancet 2010:1885-95).
	The paper looked at outcomes for people after six months in treatment. The paper concluded that; for a group of people who had failed to benefit from previous treatment; supervised injectable heroin leads to significantly lower use of street heroin than do supervised injectable methadone or optimised oral methadone. Treatment retention was improved and severe adverse events were reduced. Further reports on the findings of the Randomised Injectable Opioid Treatment Trial pilots, including their cost-effectiveness and impact on crime, are being prepared by the National Addiction Centre.
	Local Drug Partnerships in the areas where the trial was conducted whose membership includes representatives of the police will have had the opportunity to discuss the results of the trial.
	The 2011-12 Action plan for the National Treatment Agency for Substance misuse (NTA) asks them to explore whether the model demonstrated in the Randomised Injectable Opioid Treatment Trial can be made to work for the small number of people who may benefit, in a way that is consistent with the best use of ever tighter resources. The NTA will tender new injectable treatment contracts, subject to finances being agreed.

Family Nurse Partnership Programme: Licensing

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total licence fee is that his Department paid for each local family nurse partnership in the last year for which figures are available.

Anne Milton: The total figure spent on the licence for new places in local family nurse partnerships in 2010-11 was £12,832. The licence costs £15 per client, covering the full two and a half years the client is receiving the programme, which equates to £6 per client each year.

Health Services: Food

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the policy of his Department is on the application to hospitals and care homes of Government buying standards on sustainably-sourced fish and seafood.

Anne Milton: The Department recognises the Government buying standards for food and catering as good sustainable procurement practice. As such, it encourages national health service trusts, care homes and procurement organisations to adopt them, where appropriate.

Hepatitis: Nurses

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of hepatitis C specialist nurses per head of population in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: Hepatitis C specialist nurses are not separately identified in the NHS Information Centre workforce census. Local national health service organisations with their knowledge of the health needs of their local populations are best placed to determine the staff needed to meet those needs.

Hospitals: Finance

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what payments will be made by each hospital to meet private finance initiative contracts in 2011-12; and what payments were made by each hospital for this purpose in each of the last five years.

Simon Burns: Information on the annual Unitary Payments made under every signed health sector private finance initiative contract over the lifetime of the contract can be found on the HM Treasury website at:
	www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/pfi_signed_projects_list_march2011.xls
	These are the latest figures collected from each Department for the March 2011 Budget Report. The Unitary Payment is paid by the national health service body to the private sector counterparty to the contract and covers all the services provided under the contract—initial construction, so the capital costs (repayment of principal and financing); building maintenance; and in many cases the non-clinical support services such as cleaning, laundry, catering, portering and security. The payments are subject to meeting agreed performance and quality standards and the estimated amounts include an annual uprate assumption for inflation of 2.5% for future years.

Meat: Hygiene

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 15 June 2011, Official Report, column 878W, on meat: hygiene, if he will freeze charges to abattoirs pending the outcome of the European Commission's review.

Anne Milton: Policy responsibility for meat hygiene controls lies with the Food Standards Agency (FSA). We are advised by the FSA that full cost recovery for meat official controls complies with FSA policy, Government guidelines, and current European Union legislation. The European Commission's review of EU charging rules is expected to reach a conclusion in the first quarter of 2012. This is expected to lead to a legislative proposal, which would then be subject to negotiation and to European Parliament and Council approval. The EU Review process is likely to take at least two more years before any agreed changes are incorporated within EU legislation. Any implications for United Kingdom charging policy that may arise from the EU review will be considered at the time.

Mental Illness: Cannabis

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of cannabis users who suffer from mental health problems as a result of using the drug.

Anne Milton: The Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs in their report Cannabis classification and Public Health published in May 2008 states that:
	‘in some people, however, intoxication leads to attacks of paranoia and confused feelings...the prevalence of these acute psychological reactions to cannabis is uncertain’.
	In relation to long-term psychotic illness, the report states that:
	‘on balance the council considers that the evidence points to a probable but weak causal link between psychotic illness and cannabis use. Whether such a casual link will become stronger with the wider use of higher potency cannabis products remain uncertain’.

Midwives

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwives there were in (a) England, (b) the North West and (c) each NHS trust in Cumbria in each of the last five years.

Anne Milton: The following table includes the information requested.
	
		
			 NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified midwives in England, the North West strategic health authority area and each specified organisation as at 30 September each year 
			 Headcount 
			  2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 England 24,469 25,093 25,664 26,451 26,825 
			 Of which:      
			 North West Strategic Health Authority area 3,959 4,010 3,892 3,855 3,947 
			 Of which:      
			 North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust 159 165 163 160 172 
			 University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust 178 173 165 169 171 
			 Notes:  1. North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust are the only national health service organisations that employ midwives in the Cumbria area.  2. Data Quality:The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality where changes impact on figures already published. This is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses. The new headcount methodology for 2010 data is not fully comparable with previous years’ data due to improvements that make it a more stringent count of absolute staff numbers. Further information on the headcount methodology is available in the Census publication here: www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/010_Workforce/nhsstaff0010/Census_Bulletin_March_2011_Final.pdf Source:  The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Non-medical Workforce Census.

NHS: EU Law

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the legal advice he has received on the position of the NHS in respect of EU competition law under his revised legislative proposals for reorganisation of the NHS.

Simon Burns: Legal advice was integral to the Department’s advice to Ministers on the introduction of the Health and Social Care Bill. However, no separate legal advice has been commissioned by officials on the impact of the Bill on the application of European Union competition law to the national health service. This is because the Bill does not change EU competition law and the Government's proposals made in response to the NHS Future Forum's report would not change this position.

Tobacco: Olympic Games 2012

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has had discussions with the London Organisation Committee of the Olympic Games on the provision of technical support by the World Health Organisation for implementation of a tobacco-free policy at the London 2012 Olympics.

Anne Milton: Officials in the Department for Health and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have discussed our shared aspiration for a tobacco-free Games with the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG). At this stage, LOCOG has not considered the role of the World Health Organisation in supporting this aspiration.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Audit Commission: Consultants

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 28 February 2011, Official Report, column 105W, on the Audit Commission: consultants, what the name is of each councillor paid by the Audit Commission for consultancy work in the last three years for which figures are available; and how much has been paid to each such councillor in that period.

Bob Neill: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to respond to my hon. Friend direct.
	Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 23 June 2011
	Your parliamentary question has been passed to me for reply.
	The Audit Commission has made payments to councillors from April 2008 to March 2011, as detailed in the appendix.
	The Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) Peer Clearing House sourced and accredited councillor peers.
	The payments were for peer councillor contribution to the nationally agreed programmes of council corporate assessments, as part of Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) and for Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) judgements that were being formulated for 2010. Input by elected members was a key component of the process to ensure all judgements took full account of peer and practitioner experience.
	Peer Councillors were paid a standard national daily rate for each day they were on site. In 2008/09 this varied from £200 to £300 per day, depending on the type of work. In 2009/10 this became a single rate of £300. Travel costs were paid in addition.
	
		
			 £ 
			  Amount paid  
			 Name 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Total 
			 Alan Jarrett 0.00 613.09 602.80 1,215.89 
			 Andrew Judge 3,869.10 0.00 0.00 3,869.10 
			 Ann Hartley 0.00 70.00 323.40 393.40 
			 Chris Roberts 38.90 0.00 0.00 38.90 
			 Christine Channon 906.80 170.79 300.00 1,377.59 
			 David Dixon 4,109.04 0.00 0.00 4,109.04 
			 David Williams 4,302.19 808.21 776.00 5,886.40 
			 Gareth Barnard (Dr) 0.00 2,632.18 918.70 3,550.88 
			 Geoff Williams 672.00 . 0.00 0,00 672.00 
			 Glen Sanderson 10,665.91 980.70 2,912.90 14,559.51 
			 Graham Chapman 0.00 351.70 4,950.12 5,301.82 
			 Jane Evison 399.62 0.00 0.00 399.62 
			 Jeremy Hilton 3,964.32 650.12 1,685.93 6,300.37 
			 Jerry Roodhouse 3,217.90 900.00 527.00 4,644.90 
			 John Kent 0.00 1,057.80 527.00 1,584.80 
			 John Whelan 3,984.80 0.00 0.00 3,984.80 
			 Jon Collins 8,756.47 150.00 327.50 9,233.97 
			 Malcolm Grimston 0.00 3,256.46 2,060,17 5,316.63 
			 Marco Longhi 17,378.50 2,607.84 2,046.00 22,032.34 
			 Mike Parsons 523.92 0.00 0,00 523.92 
			 Paul Crossley 5,867.14 0.00 0.00 5,867.14 
			 Paul Godwin 1,519.46 0.00 0.00 1,519.46 
			 Peter Box 5,275.00 0.00 0.00 5,275.00 
			 Robert Light 4,609.63 1,237.40 0.00 5,847.03 
			 Roger Lawrence 132.00 0.00 0.00 132.00 
			 Roy Mayhew 314.48 0,00 0.00 314.48 
			 Susan Dungworth 7,124.50 0.00 0.00 7,124.50 
			 Terry Shields 4,610.40 0.00 0.00 4,610.40 
			 Terry Stacy 4,856.10 177.80 100.40 5,134.30 
			 Tony Newman 0.00 0.00 414.20 414.20 
			 Trevor Jones 0.00 184.24 300.00 484.24 
			 Tudor Evans 0.00 0.00 1,511.91 1,511.91 
			 Alan Connett 0.00 446.03 73.40 519.43 
			 John Commons 0.00 1,416.23 1,200.00 2,616.23 
			 Clyde Loakes 0.00 446.60 0.00 446.60 
			 Sue Derbyshire 0.00 749.60 478,80 1,228.40 
			 Stephen Knight 0.00 423.40 0.00 423.40 
			 P D Bettison 5,380.21 0.00 0.00 5,380.21 
			 Menhoob Khan 0.00 407.16 0,00 407.16 
			 Chris Pattison 11,600.08 437.00 0.00 12,037.08 
			  114,078.47 20,174.35 22,036.23 156,289.05

Departmental Redundancy

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancies in its non-departmental bodies (a) in 2011-12 and (b) over the comprehensive spending review period.

Bob Neill: Over the spending review period, the Department has allocated £46.2 million of restructuring funding to its arm’s length bodies, of which £33.0 million is for 2011-12.
	As outlined in my Department's press notice of 16 March 2011, our plans to reduce and reform the Department's arm’s length bodies will save around £170 million of taxpayers money from DCLG budgets and a further £60 million from the budget for local government spending by 2014-15.

Faith Communities Consultative Council

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the name is of each member of the Faith Communities Consultative Council.

Andrew Stunell: holding answer 13 May 2011
	The Government have decided to discontinue the Faith Communities Consultative Council. We believe that it did not add value to the effective arrangements that Departments already have in place for consulting faith communities on policy.
	Our preference is to work with faith communities in a manner that is strategic and appropriate for particular situations. My Department will continue to liaise individually with national faith communities that provided members of the Council, and to convene ad hoc groupings to discuss policy as necessary. Officials from various Departments will continue to attend meetings of the Faith Communities Forum of the Inter Faith Network for the United Kingdom, in order to engage with faith communities collectively.
	The Government recognises the vital contribution that faith communities make to civil society, and we are committed to facilitating linkages and tackling barriers that faith groups face. For instance my Department has invested £5 million in the Church Urban Fund's Near Neighbours programme, using the local infrastructure of the Church of England to build productive relationships between people from different faith backgrounds in four key geographical areas.

Homelessness: Expenditure

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department is spending on measures to reduce homelessness in 2011-12.

Grant Shapps: We are maintaining investment in homelessness grant at £100 million a year for each of the next four years. As part of this grant, we have announced allocations of £81.5 million for local authorities and £18.5 million for the voluntary sector to support their work to tackle and prevent homelessness.
	This includes £8.45 million allocated to the Greater London Authority for the provision of rough sleeping services in London and £4 million allocated to the homelessness organisation Crisis to help single homeless people access the private rented sector.
	We are also providing £37.5 million under the Homelessness Change Programme over the three years from April 2012 to improve hostels for rough sleepers and ensure that those coming off the streets get the support they need.

Regional Growth Fund

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the role is of local enterprise partnerships in assessing bids to the regional growth fund.

Mark Prisk: I have been asked to reply.
	The local enterprise partnerships have no formal role in assessing bids to the regional growth fund. However, they can have a powerful role in their own areas to make bids on their own behalf, especially for programmes, and in co-ordinating and supporting other local bids.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Apprentices

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 24 May 2011, Official Report, column 642W, on apprentices, what estimate he has made of the number of learners who will be funded by the allocation to providers to deliver level three and above qualifications for those over the age of 24.

John Hayes: holding answer 22 June 2011
	The budget for apprenticeships, notwithstanding the additional funding announced at this year's Budget, is sufficient to fund 227,000 adult apprenticeship starts in academic year 2011/12. ‘Skills for Sustainable Growth’(1) and ‘Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth’ set out the abolition of central targets and increased freedom and flexibility for Further education colleges and training organisations to respond effectively to the needs of employers, learners and their communities. Accordingly, the take-up of apprenticeships by level follows employer demand and we are not able to provide estimates of the number of advanced level apprenticeships (at level 3) that will be delivered.
	(1) Skills for Sustainable Growth published by BIS:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/news/topstories/2010/Nov/skills-for-sustainable-growth

Arms Trade: Exports

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to which states the Government has licensed the sale of defence equipment and armaments in each of the last two financial years.

Mark Prisk: This information is published in the Annual and Quarterly Reports on Strategic Export Controls. These reports contain detailed information on export licences issued, refused or revoked, by destination, including the overall value, type (e.g. military, other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences. They are available to view on the Strategic Export Controls: Reports and Statistics website at:
	https://www.exportcontroldb.berr.gov.uk/eng/fox
	Currently this includes information up to 31 December 2010. Information covering 1 January 2011 to 31 March will be published in July this year.

Businesses

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to (a) encourage dynamism in the enterprise start-up market, (b) strengthen business support networks and (c) increase business productivity.

Mark Prisk: In January, the Department published “Bigger, Better Business: Helping small firms start, grow and prosper”, setting out what we are doing to ensure start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises can access the information, networks and advice they need.
	In March, Government published “The Plan for Growth”, setting out a radical plan to get the UK economy growing.

Businesses

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the barriers to starting a business in the UK.

Mark Prisk: The Department's Household Survey of Entrepreneurship, which was last conducted in 2007, collects data on barriers to enterprise:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/files/file46964.doc
	BIS also sponsors the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) UK survey which collects data on barriers to start-up and the issues facing nascent businesses, on an annual basis. Additionally, the World Bank Doing Business Report assesses the ease of starting a business in 183 countries, including the UK which was ranked 17(th) out of 183 in the 2011 report.
	Alongside this research, Ministers and officials regularly engage with would-be entrepreneurs, start-ups and the small business representative bodies to discuss barriers to starting a business.

Businesses

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to help businesses increase their performance in respect of (a) innovation, (b) management skills and (c) the adoption of best practice.

David Willetts: This Department helps businesses increase their innovation performance through a range of measures including the work of partner bodies such as the Technology Strategy Board, which is the Government's prime channel through which we support business-led technology innovation, and the Design Council.
	The Technology Strategy Board is establishing a network of elite technology and innovation centres to commercialise new and emerging technologies—the High Value Manufacturing Technology and Innovation Centre has been launched and others in the areas of cell therapy and offshore renewable energy are planned. The Technology Strategy Board also delivers a national collaborative R&D and grant for R&D schemes, which are focused on supporting research and development projects in businesses, and the Small Business Research Initiative, which aims to provide business opportunities for innovative companies while solving the needs of Government Departments.
	The Design Council helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop their capacity for design and innovation through the Designing Demand programme which helps SMEs become more competitive, increase their profits and boost performance through the strategic use of design.
	This Department also supports R&D tax credits, which provides tax relief for companies undertaking R&D work.
	Leadership and management skills are recognised as key elements in driving business performance and raising productivity, with strong links to the better utilisation of skills and high performing workplaces.
	In ‘Skills for Sustainable Growth’ this Department emphasised the importance of improving leadership and management skills and set out our intention to work with employers, employer bodies, the TUC, ACAS, and others to develop a framework for improving leadership and management skills to encourage high performance working and better use of skills.
	We are continuing to provide the SME Leadership and Management Programme with priority for support being given to those small and medium-sized businesses that demonstrate a potential for growth, and are looking closely at how best this programme can be integrated or aligned with Business Coaching for Growth from January 2012.
	The primary objective of both the new framework, which will be published later this year, and the SME Leadership and Management Programme is to encourage all businesses to invest more in order to improve leadership and management skills to drive up their own performance and help raise overall productivity throughout the economy.
	This Department helps companies increase their performance by the adoption of best practice through its support for the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS). MAS helps small and medium-sized manufacturing firms achieve big improvements in their productivity and competitiveness by providing direct access to manufacturing experts who provide professional advice and practical, hands-on support. A programme of visits to best practice exemplars is one of the services offered by MAS.

Businesses

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what proportion of businesses reported to his Department that growth of their business was a priority in each year since 2005.

Mark Prisk: The BIS Small Business Survey provides information on the proportion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) employers (with one to 249 employees) that aim to grow their business in the next two to three years. Table 1 shows that in 2010 nearly three-quarters (74%) of SME employers aimed to grow their business within the next two to three years (or approximately 880,000 businesses).
	
		
			 Table 1: Proportion of SME employers aiming to grow the business 
			  Aim to grow in next two to three years (percentage) 
			 2005 56 
			 2006/07 65 
			 2007/08 67 
			 2010 74 
			 Source: BIS Small Business Survey 2005-10—SME employers only 
		
	
	BIS also regularly examines a range of other surveys including those of business organisations like the Confederation of Business Industry (CBI) to better understand the growth ambition of all businesses, not just SMEs. Figures for 2005 to 2011 from the CBI Quarterly Services Sector Survey showing the proportion of service sector businesses expecting to expand their business in the year ahead are shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Table 2: Expectation of growth in next 12 months 
			 Survey period Services sector (%) 
			 May 2005 50 
			 May 2006 53 
			 May 2007 45 
			 May 2008 39 
			 May 2009 29 
			 May 2010 52 
			 May 2011 50

Businesses: Young People

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the number and proportion of (a) young people aged 16 to 24 and (b) people aged over 25 who considered going into business in each year since 2005.

Mark Prisk: BIS does not hold the precise information to answer this question. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor provides a measure of the proportion of adults in the UK who intend to start a business within the next three years. Data has been provided for 18 to 24-year-olds and the total population (18 to 64-year-olds) only.
	The Table shows that in 2009, 5.5% of 18 to 24-year-olds who were not already engaged in enterprise activity in the UK intended to start up a business within the next three years, compared to 4.4% of the adult population overall. 2009 is the latest year for which BIS hold data at the level of detail required to answer this question (i.e. intention to go into business by age group).
	
		
			 Intention to start a business among non-entrepreneurially active population 
			 Percentage 
			  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 
			 18 to 24 10.3 7.8 8.2 8.4 5.5 
			 Total 6.5 5.6 5.0 5.2 4.4 
			 Source: Global Entrepreneurship Monitor UK combined database 2002-09

Defence Equipment

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what expenditure his Department will incur in relation to the Defence and Security Equipment International Exhibition between 13 and 16 September 2011; and which Ministers from his Department plan to attend the event.

Mark Prisk: Costs associated with hosting official overseas delegations invited by Government to attend DSEi ‘11 will be met by the organisers. UKTI DSO will part fund a Capability Showcase which is expected to cost around £100,000. This will at least be in part offset by income from industry in support of the showcase and other support. No direct costs, other than staff time and related staff travel expenses, will be incurred on hosting official delegations. Programmes of UK Government Ministers are decided nearer to the date of the event and will not be published in advance of it taking place.

Departmental Manpower

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make it his policy to publish monthly information on changes in the number of employees of his Department's agencies, categorised by (a) seniority, (b) voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy.

Edward Davey: The Government are committed to transparency and the availability of data and are currently exploring options for the more frequent publication of this type of work force management information across the civil service.
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish information on employment levels by responsibility level as part of the Annual Civil Service Employment survey as well as information on the overall number of leavers by Department including BIS. This can be viewed at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=2899
	ONS publish information on employment levels across the civil service as part of the Quarterly Public Sector Employment Bulletin, which can be viewed at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=13615

Departmental Parental Leave

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his Department's policy for staff is in respect of (a) eligibility criteria and (b) rates of pay for (i) maternity and (ii) adoption leave.

Edward Davey: The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) was created on 5 June 2009, with the merger of Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and Department for Innovation Universities and Skills (DIUS). Following the merger employees remain on the terms and conditions applicable to them at the time of the merger.
	(i) Maternity leave
	All pregnant employees are entitled to up to 52 weeks maternity leave irrespective of length of service. Employees on BERR arrangements who have completed one year’s qualifying service are eligible for 26 weeks contractual maternity pay payable at their normal rate of pay. Employees on DIUS arrangements are eligible for 28 weeks contractual maternity pay payable at their normal rate of pay and are not required to serve a qualifying period. Contractual payments include an element of statutory maternity pay. Employees who do not meet the qualifying criteria are paid the statutory rates applicable to them.
	(ii) Adoption leave
	All employees who adopt a child are entitled to up to 52 weeks adoption leave irrespective of length of service. Employees on BERR arrangements who have completed one year’s qualifying service are eligible for 26 weeks contractual adoption pay payable at their normal rate of pay. Employees on DIUS arrangements are eligible for 28 weeks contractual adoption pay payable at their normal rate of pay and are not required to serve a qualifying period. Contractual payments include an element of statutory adoption pay. Employees who do not meet the qualifying criteria are paid the statutory rates applicable to them.

Developing Countries: Cotton

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on the step forward on cotton initiative for least developed countries proposed by the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO); what representations he has made to other WTO members on this proposal; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Davey: The director general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) proposed that ‘a step forward on cotton’ be included in a development-focussed package of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) to be agreed at the December WTO ministerial. The details of this step forward have not yet been defined.
	The removal of developed country cotton subsidies is a UK Government priority for the DDA and I and other Ministers have consistently pressed this with counterparts. We are supportive of any proposals that would move this issue forward. UK officials are working with the WTO secretariat and other WTO member states to push for the step forward on cotton to be as ambitious as possible.

Employment Schemes

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what data he will require (a) further education institutions and (b) Jobcentre Plus to provide to his Department as part of the Job Outcome Incentive Scheme pilots in the academic year 2011-12; and whether this information will be published;
	(2)  when his Department expects to publish details of the Job Outcome Incentive Scheme pilots for the 2011-12 academic year.

John Hayes: As part of the measures to simplify the further education and skills funding system we are introducing Outcome Incentive Payments. The Skills Funding Agency will trial this approach in the 2011/12 academic year through the introduction of a Job Outcome Payment.
	Further information on the operation of the Job Outcome Payment pilot will be provided in Guidance Note 8 which is due to be published by the agency before Summer recess. Technical detail, including information relating to the data required will be given in a Technical Briefing Note that will be published shortly afterwards. Together with the agency, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills intend to seek the views of colleges and training organisations to evaluate the Job Outcome Payment pilot.

Employment Schemes

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which colleges he expects to participate in the Job Outcome Incentive scheme pilots in the 2011-12 academic year.

John Hayes: holding answer 22 June 2011
	As part of the measures to simplify the further education and skills funding system we are introducing outcome incentive payments. The Skills Funding Agency will trial this approach in the 2011/12 academic year through the introduction of a job outcome payment.
	Guidance Note 6(1), published by the Skills Funding Agency on 16 December 2010, stated that all colleges and training organisations with an Adult Skills Budget allocation have an identified amount of funding to be used for job outcome incentive payments. This equates to 2.5% of the 2011/12 indicative Adult Skills Budget allocation and is shown as a potential payment on the funding statements of colleges and training organisations. Further information on the operation of the job outcome payment pilot will be provided in Guidance Note 8 which is due to be published by the agency before summer recess.
	(1)http://readingroom.skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/sfa/skills_funding_agency_-_guidance_note_6_final_-v2_.pdf

English Language: Education

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what representations he has received on the effects on women of changes to the provision of courses of English for speakers of other languages.

John Hayes: Since the publication of “Skills for Sustainable Growth”, a large number of organisations and individuals, including Members, have made representations to my Department about the impact of our proposals for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). They have included correspondence from learners and their representatives and Principals of Further Education Colleges. I also hold regular meetings with Further Education stakeholders; the topics that we have discussed include ESOL
	The views and supporting information offered by these groups have been collated and are being taken into consideration as part of the ESOL impact assessment, which will be published before summer recess.

English Language: Education

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on the equality impact assessment of the Government's proposals for the funding of courses of English for speakers of other languages.

John Hayes: An assessment of how the changes announced in Skills for Sustainable Growth (November 2010) may affect English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) learners is currently being carried out by the Department. Business and Skills Ministers meet regularly with ministerial colleagues in other Government Departments and have discussed a range of issues, including the assessment. In addition, my officials have been in regular contact with other Departments on this subject.

EU Grants and Loans

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many successful regional growth fund bids were made with reference to matched funds from the European Regional Development Fund in the most recently announced funding round.

Mark Prisk: There were 464 bids to the regional growth fund (RGF) round 1. Of these, 66 mentioned bids for European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding in their application. One such bid, Manchester Eye Hospital, was successful.
	Officials in the Department and in the ERDF teams have worked closely together to align, where practical, the respective funds' bidding processes. Most ERDF programmes are managing a simultaneous call for proposals to complement the timing of the RGFs second round, with the aim of encouraging applicants to maximise the available public resource. Applicants seeking to access ERDF will however need to comply with the application process and the ERDF specific project selection criteria.

Further Education: Attendance

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether further education institutions undertaking education and training as part of skills conditionality proposals will be required to report on course attendance and completion for the purposes of applying higher-level sanctions.

John Hayes: holding answer 22 June 2011
	It is for further education colleges to determine whether to make their provision available to mandated learners. If they chose to do so, they will be required to meet Jobcentre Plus data requirements which include providing information on levels of attendance and completion.

General Agreement on Trade in Services

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what commitments the UK has in respect of Mode 4 of the General Agreement on Trade in Services.

Edward Davey: The UK's commitments in Mode 4 under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) General Agreement on Trade in Services include commitments in Intra-corporate Transfers, Business Visitors and Contractual Service Suppliers.
	The detail of the commitments is set out in the EU schedules of services commitments which are available on the WTO website at:
	www.wto.org

Green Investment Bank: Location

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to announce his decision on the location of the Green Investment Bank; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: Following state aid approval the Green Investment Bank (GIB) will be established as a Companies Act company and its board will be appointed. The Government and the GIB board, working closely with the Government Property Unit, will take a decision on the GIB's location, taking into account: (1) the ability to deliver the GIB mission (2) operational costs, and (3) access to required talent.

Green Investment Bank: Location

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (a) what criteria he plans to use and (b) whether he plans to take into account (i) the availability of sustainable transport links and (ii) environment city status when making his decision on the location of the Green Investment Bank; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: The location for the Green Investment Bank (GIB) will be chosen to enable it best to deliver its mission. The criteria will be: (1) ability to deliver the GIB mission; (2) operational costs; and (3) access to required talent.
	Fuller details of these criteria are set out in Section 2.7 of the “Update on the design of the Green Investment Bank” which I published on 23 May. This decision will be taken in due course.

Higher Education: Admissions

Pat Glass: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people resident in North West Durham constituency applied to enter university in the academic year (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; and how many such applicants were successful.

David Willetts: The information is in the following table and has been provided by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
	Applicants who were not accepted for entry will include: individuals who did not receive any offer; individuals who received an offer (conditional or unconditional) but decided not to go to university; individuals who received a conditional offer and failed to meet the specific conditions (eg they did not achieve certain grades); and individuals who decided to withdraw from the UCAS system.
	
		
			 Applicants and accepted applicants to full-time undergraduate courses at UK institutions from North West Durham constituency 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 
			  Applicants Accepted applicants 
			 2008/09 586 468 
			 2009/10 620 501 
			 2010/11 694 531 
			 Source: UCAS

Higher Education: Finance

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the number of first-time full-time undergraduates studying in institutions not in receipt of public funds eligible for fee loans in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: holding answer 22 June 2011
	The Department cannot provide estimates of the number of students at privately funded institutions eligible for fee loans as these data are not centrally collected.

Investment: Sudan

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had on private investment in Sudan.

Mark Prisk: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), has had no recent discussions, or other related engagement, on the matter of UK private investment in Sudan.

National Enterprise Academy: Private Sector

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what private sector financial support the National Enterprise Academy has received since 2008; and if he will make a statement.

John Hayes: Since 2008, the National Enterprise Academy (NEA) has received £218,310 cash investment from the private sector and the NEA estimates it has attracted £3 million in in-kind support from the private sector.
	Over the past two years, the NEA has developed a new brand of practical enterprise and entrepreneurship training for young adults, including employer mentor support for learners, as an integral part of their course.

North Sea Oil

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 9 May 2011, Official Report, column 956W, on North Sea oil, what discussions Ministers in his Department held, on what dates and with which oil and gas companies prior to the Budget Statement of 23 March 2011.

Mark Prisk: Nothing has changed since my answer of 9 May 2011, Official Report, column 956W.

Oil

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans his Department has to address the challenges posed by peak oil.

Mark Prisk: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, my hon. Friend the Member for Wealden (Charles Hendry), on 16 June 2011, Official Report, column 895W.

Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe

David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2011, Official Report, columns 480-1W, on students: finance, if he will publish the contract for services between his Department and Rainey Kelly Campbell Roafle.

David Willetts: As the services were procured through the Central Office of Information, and in line with the Government's commitment to ensure transparency, the contract for services between them and Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe was published on the Businesslink contract finder website. A copy of the contract will be supplied to the right hon. Member and placed in the Library.
	The relevant Buinesslink website page upon which the contract details can be obtained can be accessed via the following link:
	http://www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk

Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe

David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2011, Official Report, columns 480-1W, on students: finance, how many staff from Rainey Kelly Campbell Roafle are working on his Department's campaign.

David Willetts: The published contract documentation referred to in my previous answer, details 11 job titles, along with the number of hours allocated under each job title, for work on the campaign.

Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe

David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2011, Official Report, columns 480-1W, on students: finance, what expenditure his Department will incur in connection with the appointment of Rainey Kelly Campbell Roafle.

David Willetts: Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe were appointed to support the campaign at an expected cost of £150,000, which it is expected will be incurred.
	In addition the Department has incurred central office of information management fees of £5,132 in connection with the appointment of the agency.

Self-employed

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the proportion of adults who considered going into business or becoming self-employed in each year since 2005; and if he will estimate the proportion of such people who believed they had sufficient knowledge and understanding to do so in each such year.

Mark Prisk: The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor provides a measure of the proportion of UK adults who were not already engaged in enterprise, who intended to start-up in business within the next three years. Table 1 shows that in 2010, 6.7% of the adult population in the UK said they intended to start-up in business within the next three years.
	BIS does not have data on the proportion of such people who believed that they had sufficient knowledge and understanding to start-up in business. However, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor does provide a measure of the proportion of UK adults who were not already engaged in enterprise, who agreed they had the skills and knowledge to start a business.
	The table shows that in 2010, 46.1% of the non-entrepreneurially active adult population in the UK said they believed they had the skills and knowledge to start a business.
	
		
			 Table 1: Entrepreneurial intentions and confidence in start up skills among UK adults 
			 Percentage 
			  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 Intend to start-up in next three years(1) 8.7 7.8 7.4 6.8 6.1 6.7 
			 I have the knowledge and skills to start a business(2) 46.4 45.1 44.0 44.4 44.4 46.1 
			 (1) Some of those adults indicating they intend to start up could also already be running a business. (2) Among those not already engaged in enterprise activity. Source: Global Entrepreneurship Monitor UK 2010 report

Short Time Working

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has plans to bring forward legislative proposals to reform short time working.

Edward Davey: The Government have no current plans to reform the law on short time working.

Small Businesses

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the number and proportion of small businesses that were involved in enterprise awareness-raising activities in each year since 2005.

Mark Prisk: I do not have a record of small business involvement in enterprise awareness raising activities in each year since 2005. Such engagement is by its very nature undertaken at the local level and statistics are not collected centrally.

Small Businesses

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the proportion of small businesses that (a) sought and (b) took-up external business advice funded by his Department during their start-up in each year since 2005.

Mark Prisk: The Department of Business Innovation and Skills funds support for business start-ups which is currently accessed via the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) through the Business Link regional advisory service. The RDAs have reported (a) the following levels of engagement with business start-ups (i.e. those businesses trading for less than 12 months) since 2005.
	
		
			 Financial year Number of start  -up businesses 
			 2005/06 39,198 
			 2006/07 46,093 
			 2007/08 52,178 
			 2008/09 54,806 
			 2009/10 58,662 
			 2010/11 46,570 
		
	
	The regional Business Link providers do not record information on the level of take-up of advice provided.

Students: Fees and Charges

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of those studying for level 3 or above qualifications would be required to pay fees for their courses under the proposals contained in his Department's document, Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth.

John Hayes: In November 2010 the coalition Government published “Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth” which set out the planned changes to the entitlements to full funding further education and skills for adults in England. Learners aged 19 up to 24 will be entitled to full fee remission for their first qualification at Level 3. Outside of this entitlement, there is an expectation that learners undertaking Level 3 qualifications will share the costs with the Government; with co-funding in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 academic years, and the introduction of Government-backed loans from 2013/14.
	The Statistical First Release(1) provides the latest data on the proportion of starts and completions for learners at Level 3. Based on historical data we estimate that 3,000 learner places at Level 3 could become co-funded rather than fully-funded in 2011/12. However, as the further education funding system is demand-led it is not possible to predict the number or proportion of adults that will be required to pay a fee for a first Level 3 qualification beyond 2011.
	(1)http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/index.shtml

Students: Finance

David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2011, Official Report, columns 478W, on students: finance, on what socio-demographic groups the public information campaign has been targeted.

David Willetts: In line with the campaign objective of communicating accurate information about the new student finance arrangements to potential students and their parents/carers, the campaign has been aimed at all young people aged 15 to 19, but particularly those who are closest to making a decision to go onto higher education, along with their parents and carers.
	The Government are committed to ensuring that all young people who have the potential should be given the opportunity to attend university. The Department will therefore be undertaking additional activity to ensure that accurate information reaches those from lower income households.

Trade

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the UK's Mode 4 commitments are under international trade agreements which are in force.

Edward Davey: The UK has commitments in Mode 4 under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) General Agreement on Trade in Services. The detail of the commitments is set out in the EU schedules of services commitments which are available on the WTO web-site at:
	www.wto.org
	The UK also has commitments, some of which go further than WTO commitments, in agreements negotiated at the EU level, including with Chile, CARIFORUM and Korea. The detail of these commitments is set out in the agreements which are available on the Commission website at:
	http://ec.europa.eu/trade/

Trading Standards: Legal Profession

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what powers (a) his Department and (b) trading standards officers have to investigate the activities of partners and directors of law firms which enter liquidation and subsequently reopen under a different name in the same premises and with the same staff.

Edward Davey: holding answer 20 June 2011
	The information requested is as follows:
	(a) The Secretary of State has the power to investigate any company or limited liability partnership where there appears good reason, usually the suspicion that it is trading fraudulently or against the public interest. However, there is nothing in law to prevent a director of a company in liquidation from forming a new company, from acting as a partner or as a sole trader to carry on a business similar to, or even identical to, that of the former company providing, in respect of any limited company, he has not been disqualified from acting in the management of a limited company and is not personally bankrupt.
	(b) Trading Standards have powers to investigate breaches under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 which bans all persons acting in trade or business from engaging in unfair commercial (mainly marketing and selling) practices against consumers. The regulations apply across all business sectors and set out a framework for how businesses must deal with consumers so that consumers can make free and informed choices in relation to goods and services offered for sale. Enforcement of the regulations is through undertakings from infringers, enforcement orders or by prosecution with offences carrying a fine of up to £5,000 or imprisonment or both.

UK Trade and Industry's Music Export Group

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the names and positions are of members of the UK Trade and Industry's Music Export Group.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 20 June 2011
	The following list provides the names and positions (supplied in brackets) of UK Trade and Investment's Music Export Group members:
	Doug D'Arcy, Chairman (Owner, Songlines Music)
	Judith Govey (International Manager, AIM)
	Peter Filleul (Executive Director, APRS)
	Liam Donnelly (Head of International, Americas and Asia Pacific, PRS for Music)
	Joel Mills (Music Adviser, British Council)
	Atholl Swainston-Harrison (CEO, International Artists Management Agency)
	Adam Webb (Press and Communications Executive, UK Music)
	Leah Zakss (Music Adviser, British Council)
	Laura Whitticase (Applications Co-ordinator, PRS for Music Foundation)
	Crispin Parry (CEO, British Underground)
	Jon Webster (Chief Executive, MMF)
	Dick Miller (Director, Rightsman Independent International Consultancy)
	Julian Wall (Director of International Events and Independent Member Services, BPI Ltd)
	Joe Paice (Information Manager, Jazz Services)
	Martin Elbourne (Director/Founder, The Great Escape and Booker for Glastonbury)
	Penny King (Senior Officer—Music, Arts Council England)
	Sumit Bothra (MD, Embargo Management)
	Nici Butchart (Head of International Business Development, PRS for Music)
	Horace Trubridge (Assistant General Secretary, Musicians Union)
	Dominic McGonigal (Director of Government Relations, PPL)
	Jackie Davidson (Director, Jackie Davidson Management)
	Kate Brockhurst (MD, KdotONLINE)
	Cathy Graham (Head of Music, British, Council)
	Claire Whitaker (Director, Serious)
	Colin Holdsworth (Director, CPH Exhibitions attending on behalf of Music Industries Association)
	Kevin McManus (Director, Liverpool Vision)
	Paul Redding (MD, Beggars)
	Phil Catchpole (Music Adviser, British Council)
	Steve Zapp (Agent, ITB)
	Vanessa Reed (Director, RS for Music Foundation)
	Peter Jenner (Secretary General, International Music Managers Forum and Artist Manager)
	Representatives from UK Trade and Investment and Department of Culture, Media and Sport also attend.

UK Trade and Industry's Music Export Group

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on how many occasions UK Trade and Industry's Music Exports Group has met in the last 12 months.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 20 June 2011
	UK Trade and Investment's Music Export Group has met three times in the last 12 months on the following dates: 16 June 2010, 25 October 2010 and 8 April 2011.

UK Trade and Industry's Music Export Group

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills under what budget headings the funding allocated to UK Trade and Investment to promote music exports has been spent.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 20 June 2011
	Funding allocated to UK Trade and Investment to promote music exports has been included in spend under the programme codes: Sector Events—Abroad, Sector Events—UK, Inward Missions, Trade Marketing Events, Trade Marketing Publications, Trade Marketing Publicity, Tradeshow Access Programme and Solo Support Scheme.

VAT

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the rate of value added tax registration was in the (a) 20 per cent. most and (b) 20 per cent. least deprived wards in England in each year since 2005.

David Gauke: I have been asked to reply.
	Information is not available on the rate of value added tax registrations at ward level and could be estimated only at disproportionate cost.

JUSTICE

Chief Coroner

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he last held a joint meeting with the Royal British Legion, CRY, INQUEST and other charities to discuss the Office of the Chief Coroner.

Jonathan Djanogly: I met with a number of civil society organisations as a group on 25 October 2010 including the Royal British Legion, CRY and INQUEST to discuss the Government's plans for coroner reform. I have subsequently met with all three organisations separately to discuss our proposals for the coroner system. The Secretary of State also met with the Royal British Legion on 12 May 2011.

Crime: Victims

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on the creation of minimum standards of treatment under the proposed EU Directive on victims of crime.

Kenneth Clarke: The United Kingdom is already seen by the European Commission as an example of best practice in this area. My officials have been working with the Commission to provide evidence and examples of the support we provide to victims.
	The Government approaches proposed EU justice legislation on a case by case basis with a view to maximising the United Kingdom's security, protecting our civil liberties and preserving the integrity of our criminal justice systems.
	The United Kingdom has three months to decide whether or not to opt in to the directive, in accordance with protocol 21 to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Crime: Victims

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he plans to take to maintain provision of services to victims of crime during the restructuring of victim support.

Crispin Blunt: Despite significant financial pressure the Government have provided £49.5 million to the victims' voluntary sector in 2011-12. Of this, £38 million is going to Victim Support who have been guaranteed the same amount again for each of the next two financial years.
	I have asked Victim Support to focus their work on victims with the greatest need. I and my officials are in regular contact with them as they implement their planned changes.

Crime: Victims

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prisons and Probation will meet the All Party Parliamentary Group on Retail and Business Crime to discuss support for victims of crime in non-domestic cases.

Crispin Blunt: I would be happy to meet the All Party Group should I be invited, but the Government's work to combat retail crime is led by the Home Office and the All Party Group may prefer to invite my noble Friend Baroness Browning who is the Home Office Minister responsible for this area of policy. I understand that she would be pleased to accept such an invitation.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department has spent on (a) stationery, (b) ministerial hospitality, (c) taxis, (d) pot plants and cut flowers, (e) lost mobile phones, (f) IT, (g) staff training and (h) staff away days since May 2010.

Kenneth Clarke: I shall provide the hon. Member with a reply as soon as possible.
	Substantive answer from Jonathan Djanogly to Sadiq Khan:
	Regarding expenditure since May 2010 by the Department, I am able to inform the hon. Member of the following:
	(a) Stationery; (f) IT; and (g) Staff training
	The Department is not able to extract information from these expenditure categories on the period May 2010 to May 2011 from its accounting system without incurring disproportionate cost. Information for the whole financial year 2010-11 will become available once the process of collating and auditing the Departmental Annual Resource Accounts is completed.
	(b) Ministerial hospitality
	The Department incurred the following costs from ministerial hospitality from May to March 2010-11: £21,941.54; in the period April to May 2011-12: Nil. The costs of the events are shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Date Event £ 
			 17 May 2010 Reception with MOJ Director Generals 20.80 
			 25 May 2010 Lord Chancellor's reception (State Opening of Parliament) 1,208.56 
			 9 June 2010 Reception and dinner for British-Israeli legal exchange 5,102.59 
			 17 June 2010 Reception for key figures in the Legal and Criminal Justice system 854.75 
			 5 July 2010 Lunch with the Russian Justice Minister 117.75 
			 14 July 2010 Interview and lunch with newspaper journalist 12.80 
			 27 July 2010 Justice Committee drinks 26.55 
			 7 July 2010 Legal Aid stakeholder meeting (small providers) 38.20 
			 12 July 2010 Legal Aid stakeholder meeting (large providers) 59.00 
			 13 July 2010 Legal Aid stakeholder meeting (representative bodies) 47.00 
			 1 October 2010 Cost of Opening of Legal Year Breakfast 13,176.00 
			 18 October 2010 Lord Mayor Elect Ceremony 340.00 
			 1 November 2010 Dinner with German Justice Minister 937.54 
			 Total  21,941.54 
		
	
	(c) Taxis
	The Department's accounting records do not record expenditure in sufficient detail to allow us to extract taxis from the overall total of “other travel costs” which includes rail, buses, private vehicle hire, taxis and private mileage.
	(d) Pot plants and cut flowers
	The MoJ does not have a budget for purchasing flowers for its buildings. Some buildings may have plants in reception areas to create a welcoming atmosphere for staff and visitors. However, it would incur disproportionate costs to go to all the buildings the MoJ and its executive agencies occupy (over 800 locations across the UK—mainly courts, tribunals, prisons and local offices) to find out if any trees or plants have been bought since May 2010.
	(e) Lost mobile phones
	The Department does not maintain a central record of lost mobile phones. This information may be held locally and can be obtained only at disproportionate costs.
	(h) Staff away days
	Away days are held mainly for team building, team training or business development activities. Such events are held off-site where suitable on-site accommodation is unavailable and where the conduct of the event is facilitated by holding it away from day-to-day business operations.
	The Ministry's accounting systems do not separately quantify expenditure on away days. Costs are subsumed within other categories of expenditure depending on their nature and purpose, for example conferences/events or training. It would incur disproportionate costs to scrutinise all the individual transactions which might potentially include away day costs across the Ministry and its executive agencies.
	All spending on away days is completed in line with the Finance Policy Manual, which is in line with HM Treasury Guidance on Managing Public Money, and states the following for away days and team building events:
	"These occasional events are organised to develop working relationships and achieve Departmental objectives. They are acceptable as long as the event can be justified as good value for money and can demonstrate development achievements. Costs should be reasonable and comparable to the status of the event".
	Wherever possible, taking into account room availability, size and flexibility, managers are expected to use Ministry or other public sector buildings for team events and away days rather than using external venues.

Legal Aid: Foreign Nationals

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice under what circumstances (a) UK and (b) foreign nationals are entitled to claim legal aid.

Jonathan Djanogly: We have assumed that the question is referring to legal aid.
	Community Legal Service funding is available to anyone who qualifies, provided that the applicant is using the courts of England and Wales and the case is within the scope of the scheme. Each application for funding is treated on an individual basis and is subject to the statutory tests of the means of the applicant and the merits of their case.
	When the Legal Services Commission considers applications for funding, the applicant's nationality, residency or citizenship does not play any part in the decision-making process. The rules for scope and qualification are in legislation or other documents laid before Parliament.
	Scotland and Northern Ireland operate their own separate schemes.

Legal Aid: Greater London

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many applications for legal aid are waiting to be determined in the centralised legal aid office at Havering magistrates court;
	(2)  what the target time is for determination of legal aid applications in the Centralised Legal Aid Unit at Havering magistrates court; and what the average time taken to determine an application in that court was in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(3)  how many defendants in each (a) magistrates court and (b) Crown court in the Greater London area appeared unrepresented in circumstances attributable to the time taken by the Centralised Legal Aid Unit at Havering magistrates court to grant legal aid in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(4)  what steps are being taken to reduce the time taken to determine applications by the Centralised Legal Aid Unit at Havering magistrates court; and by what date he expects all outstanding applications to have been determined;
	(5)  how many hearings in each (a) magistrates court and (b) Crown court in the Greater London area have been adjourned in circumstances attributable to the non-determination of a legal aid award by the Centralised Legal Aid Unit at Havering magistrates court.

Jonathan Djanogly: As at close of business on 17 June 2011 the total number of applications waiting to be determined at the centralised legal aid unit at Havering magistrates court stood at 4095.
	The target times for determination of legal aid applications in the centralised legal aid unit at Havering magistrates court are, in accordance with the national HMCTS targets agreed with the Legal Services Commission, to process 90% of all completed applications within two days of receipt, 95% within three days and 100% within six days. HMCTS does not collect performance data on the average time taken to determine an application. The latest performance data against the 90% target (within two days) show performance at Havering as 96.6% for March 2011, 69.9% for April 2011 and 27.4% for May 2011. Performance against the 95% target (within three days) is 97.2% for March 2011, 80.8% for April 2011 and 29.9% for May 2011. Performance against the 100% target (within six days) is 99% in March 2011, 95.1% in April 2011 and 49.2% in May 2011.
	HMCTS does not centrally collect data on the number of defendants that appear unrepresented in the magistrates court. Nationally, figures are published for the total number of unrepresented defendants in the Crown court, however, these figures do not provide reasons why defendants are unrepresented. Accordingly, there are no data held by HMCTS centrally to link the number of defendants who have appeared unrepresented in circumstances attributable to the time taken by the centralised legal aid unit at Havering magistrates court to grant legal aid.
	A detailed and rigorous recovery plan has been put in place by the London HMCTS Regional Management Board. The plan includes transferring additional trained staff into Havering from other parts of the London region. Havering is also receiving some assistance from other HMCTS regions outside of London. Saturday working and overtime has also been approved at Havering to further accelerate processing.
	It is expected that the backlogs will be cleared by the end of July at the latest and that Havering, along with all other London courts, will return to processing a minimum of 90% of all applications within the two day target by that date. During the period of recovery, performance is being closely monitored by local managers and regular reports will be produced for the London senior management team to ensure that the necessary progress is being made.
	Additional resources are also being transferred on a permanent basis into the centralised legal aid unit at Havering magistrates court specifically to deal with legal aid applications to ensure that London is able to sustain performance in the longer term.
	HMCTS does not collect data on the number of hearings in the magistrates court or the Crown court in Greater London that have been adjourned in circumstances attributable to the non-determination of a legal aid award. Accordingly there are no data as to the number of hearings in the magistrates court or the Crown court in Greater London that have been adjourned in circumstances attributable to the non-determination of a legal aid award by the centralised legal aid unit at Havering magistrates court.

Mortgages: Fees and Charges

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the potential effect of alternative business structures on the mortgage conveyancing process.

Jonathan Djanogly: I have not made an assessment of the effect of alternative business structures (ABS) on conveyancing, but the Legal Services Board (LSB) has been considering the impact of ABS more widely on the legal services sector. I am aware that the LSB's published business plan 2011-12 refers to the consideration of thematic reviews, of which conveyancing is one.
	The LSB considers that the conveyancing process will not be affected by the changes to regulation and the liberalisation of the legal services market, but would hope that increased competition will stimulate innovation and improve value for money for consumers.

Mortgages: Fees and Charges

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will consider the merits of requesting the Financial Services Authority to report on the effect of alternative business structures on the mortgage conveyancing process.

Jonathan Djanogly: Alternative Business Structures (ABS) have not yet been introduced. Work is under way for the introduction of ABS, but this can only happen when the necessary regulatory arrangements are in place.
	The Legal Services Board (LSB) has been working to develop the arrangements for monitoring and review of the impact of the introduction of ABS. I would hope that the LSB will engage with financial sector stakeholders including the Financial Services Authority and the conveyancing industry as part of its monitoring work.

Offences against Children

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many individuals have been convicted of offences relating to child sexual exploitation including grooming in each crown prosecution service area in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: Persons found guilty at all courts for offences relating to child sexual exploitation, by police force area in England and Wales in the last ten years, can be viewed in the table.
	Data are collected by police force area, which relate closely to crown prosecution service area.
	
		
			 Persons found guilty at all courts for offences relating to child sexual exploitation, by police force area, England and Wales, 2000  (1)  -10  (2,3,4,5) 
			 Police force area 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008  (6) 2009 2010 
			 Avon and Somerset 22 10 13 32 33 41 47 73 76 91 96 
			 Bedfordshire 12 9 4 10 11 20 17 30 22 22 13 
			 Cambridgeshire 4 6 5 9 16 42 50 35 49 69 65 
			 Cheshire 11 9 6 21 21 41 49 48 66 50 48 
			 City of London — 1 — — — 2 — — — 2 — 
			 Cleveland 4 8 9 14 17 30 41 39 46 34 51 
			 Cumbria 2 2 4 9 22 31 30 38 24 34 43 
			 Derbyshire 9 8 12 15 34 48 67 82 95 100 82 
			 Devon and Cornwall 13 23 21 25 33 73 66 88 90 77 95 
			 Dorset 4 8 8 17 7 19 33 39 29 34 35 
			 Durham 2 7 11 12 24 37 38 34 61 50 57 
			 Essex 15 7 10 12 12 45 59 50 62 45 68 
			 Gloucestershire 2 5 5 9 4 25 49 35 31 23 40 
			 Greater Manchester 41 46 37 75 54 148 160 177 193 167 246 
			 Hampshire 19 32 28 31 61 89 105 105 123 141 135 
			 Hertfordshire 12 11 14 16 19 35 51 43 33 27 58 
			 Humberside 10 12 21 17 37 46 50 61 93 77 127 
			 Kent 21 20 17 26 25 50 65 88 109 97 110 
			 Lancashire 14 28 25 27 48 90 105 127 125 171 149 
		
	
	
		
			 Leicestershire 11 8 13 17 27 36 43 64 39 56 53 
			 Lincolnshire 10 3 12 10 18 27 45 39 41 41 47 
			 Merseyside 16 19 16 22 33 36 50 43 49 52 61 
			 Metropolitan Police 45 59 56 121 99 144 197 242 265 311 322 
			 Norfolk 7 6 5 10 18 36 56 57 55 51 55 
			 North Yorkshire 9 9 10 10 30 24 38 57 46 55 43 
			 Northamptonshire 3 8 3 11 14 18 25 45 31 40 65 
			 Northumbria 27 31 17 41 32 62 95 82 86 88 118 
			 Nottinghamshire 24 26 22 20 36 67 66 62 47 67 45 
			 South Yorkshire 21 20 20 35 35 80 80 74 76 64 75 
			 Staffordshire 3 15 13 19 32 48 59 55 60 65 78 
			 Suffolk 5 4 8 15 15 45 43 30 37 38 54 
			 Surrey 5 2 4 7 14 11 22 32 30 24 45 
			 Sussex 11 11 13 23 19 41 49 62 70 74 92 
			 Thames Valley 18 11 21 20 28 55 84 80 96 83 119 
			 Warwickshire 1 3 5 4 9 17 19 25 31 33 41 
			 West Mercia 15 11 19 27 36 65 85 80 41 81 94 
			 West Midlands 40 42 39 72 96 125 170 154 158 145 153 
			 West Yorkshire 43 31 26 42 71 103 114 118 140 128 114 
			 Wiltshire 8 8 6 13 18 24 36 22 28 42 34 
			 Dyfed-Powys 8 6 4 9 12 25 10 14 17 20 30 
			 Gwent 12 16 19 17 28 36 35 32 38 28 42 
			 North Wales 7 7 7 9 14 24 48 27 37 25 44 
			 South Wales 21 29 18 33 38 49 68 35 66 72 73 
			 Total 587 637 626 984 1,250 2,110 2,619 2,723 2,911 2,994 3,415 
			 (1) Prior to 2004 the following statutes were used under the Sexual Offences Act 1956: sections 5, 6, 12, 25, 26, 28. And Section 1 of the Indecency with Children Act 1960. (2) Sexual Offences Act 2003 came into force in May 2004. Includes all offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 where the age of the victim can be determined from the Act (and where it is under 16) under which the offender was sentenced. This includes: sections 1, 5-12, 14-15 and sections 47-50. (3) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (4) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (5) In some instances after the introduction of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, defendants may have also been convicted under the Sexual Offences Act 1956. (6) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services in the Ministry of Justice

Offences against Children: Reoffenders

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people who had previously been convicted for unlawful sex with a minor have reoffended in the last 12 months.

Crispin Blunt: For adult offenders who were convicted of unlawful sex with a minor, the 12 month re-conviction rate is 10.8%. This is based on offences committed within one year of an offender being discharged from custody or commencing a court order in the first quarter of 2009.
	For details regarding the measurement of re-conviction please see:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/reoffendingofadults.htm
	Sexual offences against a minor include all offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 where the age of the victim can be determined from the Act (and where it is under 16) under which the offender was sentenced. This includes offences under sections 1, 5-10 and 47 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Parole: Standards

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will assess the adequacy of the number of judges available to serve on parole board panels; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Parole Board has indicated that it does currently have enough judges to support all the panels it can list. Over the last 12 to 18 months we at the Ministry of Justice, have appointed 57 additional judicial members and 48 new independent and specialist members. This has enabled the Parole Board to schedule and hear almost 40% more lifer and Indeterminate Public Protection Sentences (IPP) oral hearings panels than previously held.

Prisoners: Foreign Nationals

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on what date his Department commenced negotiations on a prisoner transfer agreement with the government of (a) Jamaica and (b) Nigeria; and by what date he expects each to be completed.

Crispin Blunt: Discussions with Jamaica began in 2006 and resulted in the signature of a prisoner transfer agreement in June 2007. The prisoner transfer agreement has yet to be ratified as the Jamaican Government first needs to introduce enabling legislation. Discussions on how to facilitate the legislation and the implementation of the agreement are ongoing.
	Discussions with Nigeria on a compulsory prisoner transfer agreement began in 2006. In 2009 the Nigerian Government ratified the Commonwealth Scheme for the Transfer of Convicted Offenders. The Commonwealth Scheme provides for transfer of prisoners on a voluntary basis. The Nigerian Government is currently amending its law to enable it to conclude compulsory transfer agreements.
	The implementation of domestic legislation is a matter for the respective jurisdictions concerned and the Government cannot therefore say when these processes will be completed.

Reoffenders: Convictions

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many convictions of repeat offenders there were in (a) England, (b) the North West, (c) Cumbria and (d) South Lakeland District in each of the last 10 years.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows the number of offenders sentenced for indictable offences by area and criminal history, 2001-10. These figures relate to separate sentencing occasions and therefore an offender may be included on more than one occasion, either within an area, across areas, or across time. These figures are a further breakdown of table Q7.5 in ‘Criminal Justice Statistics Quarterly Update to December 2010’ which was published on 26 May 2011.
	Sentencing occasions have been allocated to a location on the basis of the police force that processed the offence, or in the case of South Lakeland the offender's address at the time of conviction. Repeat offenders are those with a previous conviction or caution anywhere in England or Wales.
	These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system, the police national computer, which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information is recorded by the police.
	
		
			 Number of offenders  (1)   sentenced for indictable offences by area and criminal history, 2001  -  10 
			 Number of offenders  (1) 
			   2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 England(2) Total convictions 296,998 311,212 313,915 299,922 287,991 284,746 295,734 306,485 302,867 309,355 
			  Repeat offender(3) 261,217 276,070 279,428 265,098 254,293 252,307 263,512 274,317 271,228 276,596 
			  Repeat offender (%) 88 89 89 88 88 89 89 90 90 89 
			             
			 North West(2) Total convictions 52,194 55,104 54,553 52,574 49,796 50,429 53,388 54,046 52,024 54,159 
			  Repeat offender3 47,120 50,063 49,484 47,291 44,690 45,482 48,115 49,338 47,352 49,385 
			  Repeat offender (%) 90 91 91 90 90 90 90 91 91 91 
			             
			 Cumbria(2) Total convictions 3,060 3,068 3,274 3,463 3,344 3,227 3,272 3,525 3,221 3,195 
			  Repeat offender3 2,708 2,761 2,968 3,119 2,961 2,892 2,920 3,207 2,944 2,901 
			  Repeat offender (%) 88 90 91 90 89 90 89 91 91 91 
			             
			 South Lakeland(4) Total convictions 319 294 321 313 340 313 369 377 329 309 
			  Repeat offender3 277 260 273 269 291 279 310 338 293 270 
			  Repeat offender (%) 87 88 85 86 86 89 84 90 89 87 
			 (1) These figures relate to separate sentencing occasions and therefore an offender may be included on more than one occasion, either within an area or across time. (2) Area information based on processing police force. (3) An offender who at the time of their sentence had at least one previous conviction or caution which was committed anywhere in England and Wales. (4 )Area information based on offender's address.

Violent Crimes: Convictions

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many convictions for violent offences there were in (a) England, (b) the north-west, (c) Cumbria and (d) South Lakeland district in each of the last 10 years.

Crispin Blunt: The total number of defendants found guilty at all courts for violent offences in England, North West and Cumbria, 2000 to 2010 can be viewed in the following table.
	Information on convictions is not collated below police force area centrally by the Ministry of Justice.
	
		
			 Convictions for violent offences  (1)   at all courts by region, 2000-10  (2,3) 
			   2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009  (4) 2010 
			 Cumbria Violence against the person 425 457 460 469 458 543 492 458 484 490 484 
			  Sexual offences 26 38 46 46 45 55 44 49 44 52 61 
			  Robbery 33 19 29 22 23 17 8 16 18 28 27 
			              
			 North West Violence against the person 6,105 6,220 6,341 6,472 6,715 6,949 7,569 7,663 7,006 7,192 7,420 
			  Sexual offences 578 681 669 689 716 710 746 798 789 757 837 
			  Robbery 940 1,005 1,189 1,187 1,136 1,132 1,310 1,343 1,207 1,149 1,067 
			              
			 England Violence against the person 32,378 32,647 34,921 35,279 36,327 38,096 39,047 39,109 39,058 40,782 41,777 
			  Sexual offences 3,632 3,774 4,054 4,081 4,485 4,483 4,637 4,801 4,838 4,846 5,472 
			  Robbery 5,687 6,609 7,497 7,112 7,280 6,908 7,905 8,599 8,227 8,405 8,245 
			 (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Excludes convictions data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. (4) Revisions have been made to 2009 figures to account for the late receipt of a small number of court records. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Youth Justice Board: Office of the Chief Coroner

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Tooting of 9 June 2011, Official Report, column 474W, on the Youth Justice Board: Office of the Chief Coroner, how much he expects to save from the transition of some of the functions of the Youth Justice Board into his Department in each year to 2014-15; and which measures leading to savings require the abolition of the Board as a non-departmental public body.

Crispin Blunt: It is estimated that the Youth Justice Board will save £6 million operating costs by 2014-15. We estimate these savings to be £l million in 2011-12, £2 million in 2012-13 and £4 million in 2013-14.
	There will be some small direct savings attributable to the abolition although the transition process itself will incur some costs which will reduce any planned savings in the initial year of transition. These savings are in respect of the costs of board members who will no longer be required post abolition. We estimate these costs to be approximately £250,000 per annum.
	The key benefit from the decision to abolish the Youth Justice Board will be direct ministerial accountability for youth justice which the Government believes will help to secure better outcomes for young people.

Youth Justice Board: Public Finance

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate his Department has made of the likely cost to the public purse of abolishing the Youth Justice Board.

Crispin Blunt: The Ministry of Justice and the Youth Justice Board are working together to identify the extent of the costs involved in the transition process. We will publish a full Impact Assessment over the summer, alongside the MOJ's consultation on the Public Bodies Bill.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Conditions of Employment

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with (a) officials in his Department, (b) the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and (c) outside organisations on the potential effects of changes arising from the review of employment law on matters within his Department's responsibilities.

Gregory Barker: The Department for Energy and Climate Change keeps the impact of employment law and on the Department's responsibilities under review at all times.
	The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), has many meetings with outside organisations and colleagues, including the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), on a range of topics.

Departmental Buildings

Jesse Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the address is of each office property occupied by his Department outside Greater London which it (a) owns and (b) rents; what the level of utilisation is of each such property; what the capital value is of each such property it owns; and what the (i) annual rental cost and (ii) length of lease agreement is of each rented property.

Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) does not own any properties. The only space occupied by the Department outside Greater London is in Aberdeen. The address of these offices is:
	Atholl House
	86-88 Guild Street
	Aberdeen
	AB116AR
	DECC occupies two floors of Atholl House under a MOTO (Memorandum of Terms of Occupation) agreement with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) who holds the lease for the whole building. MOTO agreements do not have a lease term attached to them. The space rented is fully utilised. Under the agreement with BIS, DECC is recharged a single amount which includes, but is not limited to, rent net of sub-rental income, rates, service charges, depreciation of building improvements and BIS service charges for staff. For 2010-11 the Department paid BIS £717,432. BIS maintains responsibility for the overall management of the building, including lease and sub-lease arrangements.

Energy: Industry

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he last met representatives from UK energy intensive industries; and how many meetings he has held with such representatives since May 2010.

Charles Hendry: Ministers and officials at DECC and across Government are in regular contact with representatives from UK energy intensive industries on a range of issues. The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), last met representatives from UK energy intensive industries at the Green Economy Council meeting on 7 June 2011, which he co-chairs. Both Ineos Chlor and Tata Steel are represented on this group. Dates and details of all of the meetings the DECC ministerial team have with external organisations are available through the website via the following link:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/accesstoinform/registers/ministermtgs/ministermtgs.aspx

Energy: Prices

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effects on the living standards of consumers living in fuel poverty of recent trends in energy costs; what steps he is taking to limit energy price rises; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: No formal assessments of the effects of recent changes in domestic energy prices on fuel poverty levels have yet been undertaken. However, an assessment of the likely impact of all changes for England will be made on 14 July 2011 when DECC will publish 2011 projections of fuel poverty for England.
	Effective competition is key to ensuring consumers get the best deal. Government are cutting red tape for smaller suppliers to boost competition in retail markets, while Ofgem is tackling other barriers to effective competition (such as tariff complexity and low wholesale market liquidity) in its Retail Market Review.
	In addition the new Warm Home Discount scheme will require energy companies by law to give a discount on energy bills to more of their most low income and vulnerable customers. The new mandatory scheme will replace the previous voluntary agreement with energy suppliers to provide better focused help to tackle fuel poverty. Over the four years to 2015, the Warm Home Discount scheme will be worth up to £1.1 billion and will help around 2 million households per year.

Fuel Poverty: Pensioners

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many pensioners in Sunderland were living in fuel poverty in each of the last five years.

Gregory Barker: Sub-regional fuel poverty data is available only at an “all household” level and no splits of demographics are available. Sub-regional data has only been produced for 2006 and 2008 out of the last five years; in 2006 there were estimated to be 18,300 households in fuel poverty in Sunderland, and 24,400 in 2008.
	The following table shows the national data for pensioners for the last five years.
	
		
			 Households in England in fuel poverty containing at least one person over 60 
			  Number (rounded thousand) 
			 2004 600 
			 2005 800 
			 2006 1,200 
			 2007 1,400 
			 2008 1,600 
			 2009 (1)— 
			 (1 )Not yet available. 
		
	
	National data for 2009 is scheduled to be released on 14 July.

Green Deal Scheme

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has made an assessment of the likely carbon reductions arising from implementation of the Green Deal scheme.

Gregory Barker: An assessment of the likely reduction in UK carbon emissions resulting from the implementation of the Green Deal and energy company obligation (ECO) policies was included in the impact assessment that was published alongside the Energy Bill in December 2010. The impact assessment can be found at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/legislation/energybill/1002-energy-bill-2011-ia-green-deal.pdf
	The analysis indicates that implementation of the Green Deal and ECO policies would result in a total non-traded sector carbon saving of between 3.3 and 4.9 MtCO2e in 2020. Further analysis of the impact of the Green Deal and ECO policies on UK carbon emissions will be published in autumn 2011.

Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent representations he has received from community groups on his decision to implement new solar photovaltaic feed-in tariffs for installations with a generating capacity over 50 kilowatts.

Gregory Barker: Many community groups responded to the fast track consultation on the feed in tariff, and their views were considered by Ministers when making their decision. Officials are also in regular contact with a range of community groups.

Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 30 March 2011, Official Report, column 383W, on solar power: feed-in tariffs, what representations he has received on his Department's target rate of a five per cent. return on solar photovoltaic installations.

Gregory Barker: As part of the fast track consultation we received a range of views on level of internal rate of return required for PV installations. Some considered 5% IRR to be too low to be viable but many others consider this level to be appropriate.

Solar Power: Industry

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many meetings he had with representatives of the solar industry between 7 February 2011 and 22 March 2011; and if he will publish the minutes of each such meeting.

Gregory Barker: Ministers from DECC have met with a number of different groups representing the solar industry during the fast track consultation, however there were no meeting between those specific dates. Officials are also in regular contact with industry representatives.

Solar Power: Industry

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with representatives of the solar photovoltaic industry since (a) the publication of the proposed tariff changes in March 2011 and (b) his confirmation on 9 June 2011 of the tariff changes to take effect from 1 August 2011.

Gregory Barker: Ministers from DECC have met with a number of different groups representing the solar industry during the fast track consultation. Officials are also in regular contact with industry representatives.

Technical Advisory Panel

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, columns 116-7W, on the technical advisory panel, what reasons were given by the nominee to TAP by non-governmental organisations for not taking up the appointment.

Charles Hendry: Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations, Dr Mike Weightman, set up the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) to assist him with technical advice on the emergent findings for his interim report on the lessons to be learnt for the UK from the incident at the Fukushima nuclear plant. The individual nominated to represent non-governmental organisations on the TAP felt unable to participate because the position was not remunerated in the way he wished.

Wind Power

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will assess the effect of grid connection costs on expansion in the small wind systems sector.

Charles Hendry: The Government do not hold precise information on the grid connection costs for micro wind turbines. Costs for connecting to the distribution network are a matter for Ofgem and the Distribution Network Operators. Ofgem is currently seeking stakeholder views on connecting to the distribution network, including costs, with the aim of improving the connections experience for distributed generation.
	In addition, a recent study conducted by Arup for DECC on generation costs and deployment potential of renewable electricity technologies concluded that grid connection for onshore wind developments accounted for approximately 5% of capital costs. The study examined costs for technologies generating up to 5MW. Due to limited data, Arup applied a uniform cost of 5% across all generation levels. Further information on the Arup study, which was undertaken to inform the 2013-17 Renewables Obligation banding review, is available at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pnll_47/pnll_47.aspx

Wind Power

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the likely cost per MWh of electricity generation from generating plants on standby to cover for the intermittency of generation from wind power.

Charles Hendry: Additional electricity generation required as a result of low wind output or any other reason could be provided by a number of technologies. Our estimates are that the likely short run marginal cost(1) per MWh of standby generation ranges from £60 to £80 for gas and coal generation without CCS. Non-generation approaches can also be used to balance supply and demand, such as demand response, interconnection and storage. As we decarbonise the electricity system further, these non-generation approaches are expected to play proportionately more of a role as they can often facilitate integration of intermittent generation more effectively than back-up generation.
	(1)The short run marginal cost is the cost of an existing plant generating electricity (therefore includes variable operating costs, fuel costs, carbon costs but not construction costs or fixed operating costs).

Wind Power

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what forms of power generation are available to provide standby back-up in the event of the unavailability of energy generated through wind power.

Charles Hendry: Back-up electricity generation, which may be required as a result of low wind output, as well as for several other reasons, is provided by other generation, which includes coal, gas and hydro. Non-generation approaches (demand response, interconnection and storage) also provide back-up. As we decarbonise the electricity system further, these non-generation approaches are expected to play proportionately more of a role as they can often facilitate integration of intermittent generation more effectively than back-up generation.